Horse Racing News Update: Vauban Targeting Another Melbourne Cup Tilt
Owner Eyeing Melbourne Cup Redemption
Owner Rich Ricci is eyeing up another shot at the prestigious Melbourne Cup with his talented dual-purpose horse Vauban, following the gelding’s recent performance in the Group 1 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.
Trained by the renowned Willie Mullins, Vauban finished a respectable fourth as the race favorite with online betting sites in the prestigious 4000m feature at the Royal Ascot carnival on Thursday. Despite failing to secure a placing, the connections are now setting their sights on redemption at the 2024 Melbourne Cup.
“It’s a wonderful experience to have a runner here in the big race,” said an enthusiastic Rich Ricci, reflecting on Vauban’s effort in the Gold Cup, which was won for the second time by the Aidan O’Brien-trained Kyprios.
Vauban, who was sent off at $6.50 in the Gold Cup, finished 13th in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) last November. However, the connections remain undeterred and are determined to give the six-year-old gelding another shot at Australia’s most prestigious racing event.
“That’s fine, and Melbourne is still the plan,” Ricci stated confidently. “I would love to win the Melbourne Cup 2024 – and our friends from the Victoria Racing Club are here.”
Stablemate Belloccio to Join Australian Campaign
Vauban could be joined by stablemate Belloccio on an Australian campaign, after the six-year-old gelding claimed victory in the Cooper Horse Handicap (2800m) at Ascot on Tuesday.
“We’ll probably run somewhere again in the summer, then we’ll be ready to rock and roll, I think,” Ricci said, outlining the plans for Vauban’s preparation towards a potential return to Flemington Racecourse in 2024.
Horse racing enthusiasts will eagerly await further updates on Vauban’s journey as the connections aim to secure a coveted Melbourne Cup triumph.
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