Melbourne Cup Favourite Settling In Well Down Under

Vauban settling in well in Australia

The trip from Ireland to Australia can take up to 40 hours with layovers; however Vauban appeared to make light work of the trip, having completed track work on Monday morning alongside stablemate Absurde.

Vauban appeared in good condition on his first hit out since arriving with travelling foreman David Casey confirming the pair had been quick to settle into life down under with Vauban maintaining body weight through the flight. 

"He didn't lose a lot of weight on the flight and it appears he has put it all back on since he came.

"We're delighted with him. He came off the float really well and ate and drank plenty on the plane so everyone was really happy with him."

Vauban put the bookies on notice for Melbourne Cup betting after romping to a 7 length win at Royal Ascot and tightened further after confirming his place at the race that stops a nation with a Group 3 win at Naas. 

The Irish Melbourne Cup favourite is down to carry 55kgs in the 3200m handicap but has won races in the UK over hurdles at Group 1 level carrying up to 71kgs. Absurde has to carry 53kgs and finished second behind Vauban at Ascot,

"It's not so much the weight he has to carry, it's more the weight the other horses have to carry," Casey said.

"Absurde was second to Vauban at Royal Ascot then he went and won the Ebor but I think he was a better horse at York than he was at Ascot. He's not a bad horse in his own right."

Current Melbourne Cup markets have Vauban as a $5 favourite in the market while Absurde is a $17 chance.

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