With Mahrajaan the latest horse to be apparently on track to add his name to this year’s Melbourne Cup runners, more teams are taking shape.
Both Ciaron Maher and Willie Mullins of Ireland are finalising their potential runners and planning routes to Flemington.
Different Approach for Vauban
After starting at a short price last year, Vauban’s prep for another Melbourne Cup tilt is forming differently. It seems arriving in Australia later is this year’s format.
Willie Mullins’ six-year-old, also a jumps horse, had his last appearance at Royal Ascot. It appears he didn’t quite see out the mammoth 4000m trip in the Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup there.
Vauban was as low as $5.50 for last year’s Melbourne Cup, though he faded out of contention. Having looked threatening on the turn for home and with his stablemate doing well, there is still lots of hope of a win with a different prep.
Mullins May Follow the Max Dynamite Route
Mullins has come close to winning the Melbourne Cup once before. His Max Dynamite was second behind Prince Of Penzanze in 2015.
That year, the Mullins runner finished off his European campaign at the Ebor Festival at York in August. He took in the Lonsdale Cup there, a race Mullins now has in mind for Vauban.
Mullins has confirmed an entry will be made for the Lonsdale, though there may be two more runs scheduled for the trip to Flemington. A later flight and a fitter, more race-ready Vauban may be the key.
Maher Team Continues to Grow
We’ve written at length recently about the abundance of riches Ciaron Maher has in advance of this year’s Melbourne Cup Festival. He has added to it still further.
Berkshire Breeze, a son of Mastercraftsman, won at Flemington last Saturday. He could even be second in line now behind Circle Of Fire.
One of a number of British important to Maher, Circle Of Fire announced himself on the scene when he took down the Sydney Cup over 3200 metres. He is already set for a very interesting campaign ahead.
He heads the Melbourne Cup market at around the $11 mark, just ahead of Middle Earth who will be joining the stable soon. Now, Berkshire Breeze is a Banjo Paterson Series Final winner over 2600m. He too is high in the Maher pecking order.
Flemington Routes Yet to be Decided
Despite Berkshire Breeze’s impressive win, Circle Of Fire remains the Maher team’s number one hope. Paths to the Melbourne Cup however aren’t locked in yet.
For the big stable hope, there is a fine balancing act to preside over. Circle Of Fire needs to race and remain fit, yet get in with as light a weight as possible.
Despite this, the Caulfield Cup remains possible for him. Not winning it and yet running well may be just the recipe needed.
