Melbourne Cup: Buick, McEvoy ride Willie Mullins contenders
William Buick is set to ride the Willie Mullins-trained Vauban in the upcoming Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), while Kerrin McEvoy has secured the ride on stablemate Absurde for the Flemington showcase.
Buick previously guided Vauban to victory in the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup (3319m) at York in August and more recently to a runner-up finish in the Group 1 Irish St Leger (2816m) last month.
“They seemed to travel very well, they’ve been here before and know what it’s like,” Mullins’ assistant David Casey told Racing.com.
“Since they’ve arrived in Werribee, they’ve been very good. Vauban has put back on everything he lost, and Absurde has regained most of it.
“They’ve done a bit of a hack and a canter, and we’re delighted with them.”
Casey also shared insight into the stable’s approach for Vauban:
“We went a different route last year because he had to qualify, and he did that after Ascot in Naas. We wanted to make sure we could get him here.”
Regarding Absurde, Casey explained, “We were initially considering the Caulfield Cup, but after his win at Chester, we decided to go straight to the Melbourne Cup.”