Melbourne Cup favourite Vauban takes bite out of foreman David Casey

Beware the “ticklish” Melbourne Cup favourite Vauban, who doesn’t like being brushed and his travelling foreman has the bruise to prove it.

Travelling foreman David Casey aboard Vauban at Flemington earlier this week. Picture: Scott Barbour/Racing Photos

Melbourne Cup favourite Vauban set tongues wagging again on Thursday with another slick piece of work and revelation of a nasty habit to bite while being brushed.

Travelling foreman David Casey proudly showcased a dinner plate-sized bite on his lower back after Vauban dazzled onlookers at Werribee’s International Breakfast with the Stars.

The Willie Mullins-trained galloper is incredibly “ticklish” and cannot tolerate being groomed, “a battle” faced by Casey up to twice daily.

“He’s pretty quiet … after that (brushing) it’s sleep and eat and he’s happy,” Casey said.

“It’s an episode, it’s a battle.”

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Vauban, the $3.50 favourite with TAB for the Cup, caught Casey off guard recently.

“I’m ready for him most days,” Casey laughed.

“Not as bad as that (previous bites), he’ll have a go most days.”

Vauban led up stablemate Absurde in the public track gallop on Thursday.

An equally ominous display last Tuesday at Flemington captured the attention of rival trainers and jockeys, including Mick Price who described the workout as “SAS” style.

Casey reiterated the work was business as usual for Vauban.

“I think it’s been blown out of proportion, Mick Price’s filly (Cup runner Lastochka) didn’t do much less to what we did, in fairness,” Casey said.

“It looked to me, she (Lastochka) went a mile and I did 2400m, he’s (Price) trained enough winners, so if he was happy what he saw then I’d be happy.”

David Casey shows off the bite courtesy of Vauban.

Barriers permitting, Casey said Vauban and Absurde would be ridden closer to the speed in the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday at Flemington regardless of the race tempo.

“He’s very adaptable but he’ll get the trip pretty well,” Casey said.

“If it does end up (a genuine staying test), if it turns out that way, that’s fine.

“A lot will depend on the draw, either horse won’t be at the back I wouldn’t have thought, we’ll leave it the jockeys how they settle but Absurde probably more cover than Vauban.”

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Mullins is due to arrive in Melbourne on Saturday.

Former jockey Casey has known the champion jumps trainer for more than three decades.

“He’s a brilliant trainer and very patient, with a huge attention to detail,” Casey said.

“He likes to craic, he’s very engaging with the public, he’s very relaxed and very normal.”

Casey has relayed vision and photos of Vauban and Absurde to Mullins since they arrived in Melbourne last month.

“We don’t use any data, but it’s just the fact I’ve been there so long, I know the routine,” Casey said.

“I know what he wants and we speak most days and he obviously sees videos and stuff like that … Willie likes to work off his eye and he’s pretty good at that.”

Originally published as Melbourne Cup favourite Vauban takes bite out of foreman David Casey