Melbourne Cup futures markets have flagged stablemates Vauban and Sir Delius as key contenders, and co-trainer Adrian Bott is confident both stayers have the quality to make a serious impact this spring.
Sir Delius made an ideal start to his Australian career, winning the Group 3 Chairman’s Handicap (2000m) in Brisbane back in May on a rain-affected surface. Meanwhile, Bott says that Vauban, another import, will be all the better for his first full preparation in Australia earlier this year.
Vauban, previously trained by Willie Mullins, has contested the Melbourne Cup in the past two editions without success, but is now being trained in Australia by the Waterhouse-Bott team after being acquired by Australian Bloodstock. He kicked off his new campaign in March by taking out the Group 3 Sky High Stakes (2000m) before placing in the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m), then finishing unplaced in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).
Both Vauban and Sir Delius are back in work, with Bott impressed by their progress as they enter the early stages of spring campaigns.
“Sir Delius is probably carrying forward a little bit more residual fitness off a Queensland campaign,” Bott explained. “He only had the one run, but it was a valuable hit-out to build into the spring.”
As for Vauban, Bott said: “He’s now had a full preparation here, knows Australian conditions, has two-mile experience – so he ticks a lot of boxes. He’ll follow a fairly traditional Melbourne Cup path, all going to plan.”
Though the Melbourne Cup looms as the primary target for both runners, Bott said their exact spring routes are still being shaped.
“We’re not fixed on specific races just yet,” he said. “Vauban might be more of a Caulfield Cup type, while Sir Delius could be tested over shorter distances, potentially even the Cox Plate, depending on how he comes up.”
The stable’s Melbourne Cup prospects don’t end there. Bott also noted several other potential staying talents that could emerge through the spring.
“The Euphrates is a stayer with proven credentials in Europe, and while he’s yet to debut here, he trialled well this week,” Bott said. “Campaldino was a dominant Brisbane Cup winner and could work through the qualifying paths.
“Alalcance was favourite in the Sydney Cup and made solid progress in her prep, while Elamaz, although coming off winter form, won the McKell Cup on debut in Australia. He’s another that could feature in races like the Metropolitan early in the spring.”
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