One of Ireland’s top potential Melbourne Cup horses Vauban was in Curragh Cup action last weekend.
Sent off at restrictive odds of only $2.38, Vauban could do no better than third as he was beaten by two Aidan O’Brien runners, Grosvenor Square and the ultimate winner Tower Of London.
It seems that O’Brien sees the $2.63 winner as a Melbourne Cup horse.
O’Brien Now Thinking Seriously About the Carnival
We’ve written extensively in recent weeks about the number of potential top challengers for the Melbourne Cup coming out of Europe this year. Now, yet another has put himself forward after winning the Curragh Cup.
Tower Of London’s win in the 2800m Group 2 contest is important. Not only does it make the horse a contender, but comments made afterwards tend to point to O’Brien now being happy to send a team to the Carnival.
Since intrusive veterinary checks were introduced for overseas horses, O’Brien has been noticeable by his absence. He may now come back strong and we hope Charlie Appleby follows suit.
The Curragh Cup may even have given us two O’Brien contenders.
Speaking after the race, the star trainer said that Tower Of London stays very well and he can travel anywhere. It seems his runs will now be nicely spaced out, the four-year-old perhaps heading to the Irish St Leger next.
Aidan O’Brien also chose post-race interviews to say he could be a Melbourne Cup horse. He added too that the runner-up, Grosvenor Square, could also head to the big one on November 5. We would love to see that.
Something to really bear in mind now is that the St Leger in England, for three-year-olds, and the weight-for-age Irish version on the same weekend in September could be major Melbourne Cup lead-up races.
Another Odds Shake-Up
Tower Of London’s win has propelled him up the list of odds with online bookmakers. He’s now a best-priced $15 second favourite behind the $9 Calandagan, though he is only listed with one firm.
Vauban remains solid at $17 while Giavellotto is a $15 chance. It’s all Europe at the top but remember that this will all change after the major domestic lead-up races begin.
Cup Winner Payne to Retire from Riding
Melbourne Cup winning rider Michelle Payne has officially retired from race riding. She leaves the scene having achieved her “biggest dream”.
Payne will be remembered for her thrilling win in the 2015 Melbourne Cup. A huge shock on the day, she rode Prince Of Penzance to score at massive odds of 100/1.
Her Melbourne Cup win was the first, and so far only, winning ride by a female jockey in the race. She has been about so much more than that, however.
Payne’s career in the saddle lasted some 23 years. She retires having ridden some 772 winners. She also lays claim to being a real trailblazer in the sport for fellow female jockeys.
