Willie Mullins concerned about the heat affecting Vauban and Absurde in Melbourne Cup
Vauban is a dominant Melbourne Cup favourite and the price of stablemate Absurde has more than halved, but one element about Tuesday’s race has trainer Willie Mullins nervous.
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Willie Mullins has conceded the forecast top of 30C on Tuesday is concerning for Melbourne Cup favourite Vauban and stablemate Absurde, the subject of a major betting plunge.
The jovial trainer, who added the “boiling point for an Irishman was 22C”, said the 3200m Group 1 would “be tough on the horses” under the conditions.
“We’re just not used to that,” Mullins said on Monday.
“Two miles at the pace they’re going to be going tomorrow is going to be tough on the horses, but not a lot of humidity which is good.
“But it’s certainly something we will be concerned about.”
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Melbourne Cup favourite Vauban remains atop the market despite a big rally for stablemate Absurde.
Vauban eased $3.50 to $4.20 with TAB on Friday amid a sustained go for Absurde, who more than halved in price, $21 to $10 for the race that stops the nation.
Big bets on the Melbourne Cup include $19,000 on Absurde at $14,000, $16 on Gold Trip at $6, $15,500 on Without A Fight at $6 and $15,000 on Vauban.
“Vauban is still the TAB favourite and has been our best backed with 17 per cent of all outlays, but both he and last year’s winner Gold Trip have drifted heavily since the barrier draw on Saturday evening,” TAB’s Nick Smart said.
“The biggest market mover with TAB has been Absurde, who has come right in from $21 in to $10 and money continues to come in for him at that quote.”
Mullins welcomed the support for his runners but maintained Vauban had the class edge.
“ (Absurde) quarantined very well, he’s trained very well and he’s a live outsider, maybe the value is gone now but he was 20-1 I think yesterday morning, we’re hopeful,” Mullins said.
“I think Vauban probably has more class, whereas Absurde in off a nice weight with a good jockey but at level weights I’d be going Vauban every day.”
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Vauban has 55kg in the Cup compared to Absurde’s 53kg impost.
“Absurde has a chance but I’m thinking the other one will be the one to beat,” Mullins said.
Vauban owner Rich Ricci said the rush for Absurde was testament to Mullins’s brilliance.
“It wouldn’t be the first time (a stablemate has beaten me), that’s what you get with great trainers, sometimes the ball bounces the other way,” Ricci said.
“I think we got the beating on previous form and everyone is talking Absurde is improving and he has, I hope he runs very well (for his owners).
“I hope we both run very well, but we’ve got improvement too. We’re very happy with our lad and I wouldn’t swap him.
“Everything has gone right, we’ve done our bit and you’re in the hands of the best in the world, hopefully if the horse is good enough.”
Ryan Moore, the world’s best jockey, arrived in Melbourne on Monday after a scintillating Breeders’ Cup weekend in Santa Anita, California.
“I always admire Ryan and every time we can get him we use him,” Mullins said.
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“We’ve built up a nice relationship, I love the way he rides and he has confidence in our horses so very happy to get him.
”Also to get Zac Purton down from Hong Kong, absolutely delighted.”
British jockey Tom Marquand, who will be cheering for wife Hollie Doyle in the Cup, aboard Future History, declared Vauban the horse the beat on Tuesday.
“I’m going to sing off the same hymn sheet as everybody else,” Marquand said.
“Really impressed with Vauban, stays super, I saw his work the other day on video, he looks incredible, he’d be the one I’d be most scared of and Ryan (Moore) has come down here for him, which is a big pointer in itself.”
Originally published as Willie Mullins concerned about the heat affecting Vauban and Absurde in Melbourne Cup
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