Willie Mullins surprised by ‘very disappointing’ Vauban in Melbourne Cup

Vauban’s overseas form and trackwork in Melbourne had many pundits declaring the $5.50 favourite had the Melbourne Cup at his mercy.

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However, the race did not pan out as predicted with Vauban’s jockey Ryan Moore pushing the chestnut to hold his place a long way out.

Mullins said the fact Moore was at work so early in the Melbourne Cup was a warning sign before Vauban weakened to finish 14th, 13¼ lengths from the winner Without A Fight.

“He was gone too far, too far out for my liking,” Mullins said.

“I saw Ryan having to niggle six furlongs out, I thought, ‘that’s not him on the day’ because he should have been travelling at that stage.

“I thought that was too far out for him to be niggling and he just flattened out and ran very disappointingly.”

While Vauban disappointed Mullins with his effort, the master trainer was happy with Absurde’s effort to finish seventh, 5½ lengths from the winner.

Mullins said Absurde briefly raised his hopes of a Melbourne Cup triumph before fading in the last 200m.

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“I thought Absurde ran a cracker,” Mullins said.

“Zac was very happy, we were very happy that he had him in the right position at the right time.

“About a third of the way up the straight, I thought, ‘we have a chance of winning here’.

“We had a good run with him and he ran his race. I’m very happy with him.”

Mullins said he and vets would assess Vauban to determine whether an issue prevented the stayer from reproducing his easy Royal Ascot win in June.

Mullins said the camp was beaten on the day but would return for another crack at the Melbourne Cup.

“Of course we will be back, if we get a chance,” Mullins said.

“It’s a great prize, it’s a great day and people love coming here.

“My owners are still having a good time so we’re happy and if we get one good enough, we’ll try again.”

Originally published as Willie Mullins surprised by ‘very disappointing’ Vauban in Melbourne Cup