Legendary Irish trainer Willie Mullins has made a hit-and-run visit to Werribee to check on his two Melbourne Cup aspirants Vauban and Absurde.
The pair are currently undergoing their second week of quarantine, having arrived in Melbourne on October 19 ahead of the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 5.
Mullins had planned to be at Werribee on Tuesday to watch the pair gallop, their first serious hit-out since arriving, but bad European weather delayed his flight from Dublin.
While he missed the gallop, Mullins was on deck to watch the pair go through their paces on Wednesday and declared they were on track for The Cup.
“I think both horses look ready this minute to run, and that is the way I wanted them,” Mullins said.
“It’s just biding time now until Tuesday week and I think we’re ready. We need to keep the lid on.”
It is the second assault on the Melbourne Cup by their pair with Absurde finishing seventh last year and Vauban back in 14th spot.
Mullins said he would be guided by assistant trainer David Casey but doubted the pair would head to Flemington on Tuesday for a gallop at ‘Breakfast With The Stars.
Instead, they are likely to remain at Werribee in the lead up to The Cup with Mullins due to return to Melbourne for the Group 1 Victoria Derby and Melbourne Cup barrier draw on November 2.
Mullins said while Vauban was not the top fancy in this year’s Melbourne Cup, the pressure in trying to win the race that he has been trying to succeed in for over 20 years was still the same.
“We were hoping to win last year and we’re hoping to win this year, so we’ll see,” Mullins said.
“It was disappointing last year, but we’ve regrouped and we’re back again.
“I was certainly keen to come back with Vauban, but I hadn’t really thought about it for Absurde.
“I thought the Caulfield Cup might suit him better and then the more I thought about it and looked at last year’s race, I thought he’s got as good a chance as any.”
