International hoop William Buick insists Vauban has the best form in the Melbourne Cup

William Buick has ridden some top horses in the Melbourne Cup but labelled Vauban the “classiest” of them all.

Star international jockey William Buick says Vauban has the best form in the Melbourne Cup, “no question about that”.

Buick, a 108-time Group 1 winner globally, declared the Willie Mullins-trained stayer the “classiest horse” he has had an opportunity to ride in the Melbourne Cup.

“This year he’s stepped up on his previous form,” Buick said.

“He’s competed against the best stayers that we have, but Onesmoothoperator and Sea King are coming off good wins here leading up to the Cup, so huge respect for them.

“Vauban he has got the best form in the race, no question about that.”

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Onesmoothoperator and Sea King won the Geelong and Bendigo cups respectively to qualify for the Melbourne Cup whereas Vauban matched motors with the world’s best stayer Kyprios last start at The Curragh, second beaten 2¼ lengths in the Group 1 Irish St Leger.

The six-year-old stayer won the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup Stakes two starts back.

Vauban has been best backed with Ladbrokes as a $7 equal favourite alongside Buckaroo.

Vauban placed 14th in the Cup last year but has returned with superior European credentials.

Mullins has also prepared Vauban much better this year.

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“He’s a high class horse and for whatever reason he didn’t run to form in the Cup last year at all,” Buick said.

“When he came into the Cup last year he had a fair level of form but this year he stepped up again … his form is rock solid in the UK and Ireland and two-mile is his optimum trip.”

Buick said Vauban’s pace and adaptability would hold him in good stead on Tuesday.

“He reacts very well to circumstances and scenarios, which is what you need in a race like the Cup,” Buick said.

“He has that tactical speed to get into position and equally he has the finishing kick over two mile, I’ve never won the Melbourne Cup but in my experience, that ticks a lot of boxes.”

William Buick rode Without A Fight in the 2022 Melbourne Cup before the horse won the race the following year. Picture: Pat Scala/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Buick has ridden in the race five times, including past and coming Melbourne Cup winners.

He partnered Cross Counter (eighth in 2019) the year after he won the Cup and Without A Fight (13th, 2022), before he saluted last year.

“I’ve had good rides in the race, just haven’t materialised but Vauban you’d have to say he’s the classiest horse I’ve ridden in the Cup so far,” Buick said.

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“I’ve been here for the Cup … the day is amazing in itself, it’s a race you always try to get a ride in, the atmosphere is unbelievable, to win it would be something else.”

Buick arrived in Melbourne on Friday fresh off Group 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf success in California last weekend.

Buick recorded a win and four placings from seven Breeders’ Cup rides at Del Mar, San Diego.

Originally published as International hoop William Buick insists Vauban has the best form in the Melbourne Cup