‘Let’s get it right this time’: Willie Mullins has unfinished business in the Melbourne Cup with Vauban and Absurde

Willie Mullins says he has learned from mistakes made in 2023 with Vauban and Absurde ahead of this year’s Melbourne Cup tilt.

Staring into the bottom of a beer glass is not typically a place for clarity but contemplation and actions since could lead to Melbourne Cup success.

As Irish trainer Willie Mullins digested Melbourne Cup disappointment last year with Vauban and Absurde owners, in the members’ bar at Flemington, a new 12-month plan took shape.

Mullins and company regretted a series of mistakes last year leading into the Cup.

The horses arrived in Melbourne too early, worked too hard at Flemington seven days before the Cup, and woolly Vauban, most definitely, needed a haircut.

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The 32C on race day only compounded missteps as Absurde, who looked the winner to the home turn, folded to run seventh, while pre-post favourite Vauban laboured into 14th.

“We had our few bevvies after the race last year,” Mullins recounted.

“Everyone put their tuppence worth in and everyone was keen to come back.

“The really good part was we all thought we had unfinished business and we still had the horses to do it, let’s get it right this time.”

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Vauban and Absurde raced more in Europe this year and used quarantine to freshen up the pair, who arrived in Melbourne in late-October, a month later than last year.

Mullins also dropped into Melbourne last month, barely 36 hours on the ground, to check the horses’ personally.

Willie Mullins is confident Vauban and Absurde will has learned from his mistakes last year. Picture: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

He completed similar whistlestops in past Cup campaigns, including Max Dynamite (second, 2015 and third, 2017), but not last year.

“One of the first things we said after the race last year was to come out and see them and have a look at how things are going,” Mullins said.

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Vauban has been clipped and skipped the breakfast gallops at Flemington last week for a quiet workout at Werribee with Absurde.

“I was very disappointed last year,” Mullins said.

“You have to remember racing is a game of disappointments.

“You just enjoy the good days, what I could see, maybe we didn’t get things right.

“We definitely have the ammunition to have another go.”

Vauban’s form in Europe this year compared to last has been superior, including a last-start second to Kyprios, the world’s best stayer, in the Group 1 Irish St Leger at The Curragh.

Vauban is a $7 equal favourite with Ladbrokes for the Melbourne Cup, with Absurde ($10).

Vauban leads his stablemates at Werribee. Picture: |Michael Klein

“One bad run (last year in the Cup) doesn’t make a horse bad,” Mullins said.

“It was a very warm day last year and it didn’t suit him … but I think we’ll be better prepared.

“The reality is his graded Group form is way better this year.

“If he hadn’t run last year, I’d hate to think what price he would be for the race this year, coming in behind Kyprios and getting so close to him on two occasions this year.”

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Mullins has spent more than 20 years trying to win the Melbourne Cup, inspired by a timely Flemington odyssey in 1993 as compatriot Dermot Weld created history with Vintage Crop.

“Hopefully we’ll win it one day,” Mullins said.

“The hype around it all year around in Ireland, which horses are going down, it’s all part of the fabric of racing and it’s great to be involved in something on the other side of the world.

“We have as good a chance as last year and hopefully we’re better prepared.”

VAUBAN’S DIFFERENT PATH TO THE CUP

2023

Group 1 Irish Champion Hurdle – 3rd

Group 1 Champion Hurdle Trophy – 4th

Group 1 Champion Hurdle – 2nd

Rating 105 Handicap – 1st

Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes – 1st

Melbourne Cup – 14th

2024

Group 2 Yorkshire Cup – 2nd

Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup – 4th

Group 2 Curragh Cup – 3rd

Group 2 Lonsdale Cup – 1st

Group 1 Irish St Leger – 2nd

Group 1 Melbourne Cup – ?

Originally published as ‘Let’s get it right this time’: Willie Mullins has unfinished business in the Melbourne Cup with Vauban and Absurde