Irish trainer Willie Mullins priming Vauban, Absurde for another crack at the Melbourne Cup

Willie Mullins’ desire to win the Melbourne Cup for Ireland is as strong as ever and the master trainer has tinkered with his approach to this year’s race with returning duo Vauban and Absurde.

Trainer Willie Mullins will bring Vauban (right) and stablemate Absurde back to Australia for another tilt at this year's Melbourne Cup.

Irish trainer Willie Mullins won’t change his team but has altered their preparations as he chases an elusive Melbourne Cup win in November.

Mullins ran Absurde and Vauban in last year’s Melbourne Cup in which the pair finished seventh and 14th respectively.

“They went very fast at the beginning and didn’t work out right for us, we live and learn,” Mullins said of the 2023 Melbourne Cup.

The pair’s unplaced runs were the latest instalment of a crusade that has produced second, third, fourth and sixth-placed finishes in previous editions of Australia’s greatest race.

Mullins said the desire to win the Melbourne Cup was as strong as ever given his focus on stayers and jumpers at his base in County Carlow.

More scenes like this from Rich Ricci if Vauban storms to Melbourne Cup glory? 😆🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/3Fs44Ux9Qg

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 6, 2023

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“It’s a race we’d really love to win, one of the iconic races around the world for a yard like ours, mostly jumping and mixed,” Mullins said.

“It’s probably as big a race as we can win, (with) maybe the Ascot Gold Cup, we have staying types that can compete at that level.

“That’s our big aim to try and get the Melbourne Cup one day and bring it back here.”

Vauban started as one of the top fancies in Melbourne Cup betting last year after an impressive lead-up that included a second in a Group 1 hurdle race and a seven-length win during the Royal Ascot carnival.

Mullins decided to keep Vauban on the flat for his Melbourne Cup build-up and will let him race as long as possible at home before sending him to Australia.

He added Absurde could tackle the Caulfield Cup as well this year after both stayers went into the Melbourne Cup at the first local outings.

Absurde could run in the Caulfield Cup if he makes another trip to Australia for the 2024 Spring Carnival. Picture: Getty Images

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“I’ll probably bring Vauban out a little bit later and I’ll probably race him more at home this year and get him out there later,” Mullins said.

“Absurde, at the moment, the plan is to go earlier and maybe race him before the Melbourne Cup this year.

“Maybe he can run in the Caulfield Cup, I think that would suit him, then he could run in the Melbourne Cup.”

Vauban is the $15 favourite for the Melbourne Cup while Absurde is a $51 chance.

Originally published as Irish trainer Willie Mullins priming Vauban, Absurde for another crack at the Melbourne Cup