Hungry for Victory
Monster Melbourne Cup favourite Vauban has already made his mark in Australia, but this time it's not on the racetrack. The horse took a massive chunk out of trainer David Casey, leaving him with a whopping bruise. Casey, deputising for Willie Mullins Down Under, shared a photo of the love bite on social media, and it's safe to say that Vauban's appetite extends beyond his racing career.
Not Just Horseplay
While biting can be a playful gesture from a horse, the purple and orange bruising suggests that Vauban may have taken things a bit too far. Punters were shocked by the size and color of the bruise, with one jokingly referring to it as a "massive love bite." But despite the injury, Vauban remains the favorite to win the Melbourne Cup.
Record-Breaking Punters
Punters have been flocking to back Vauban for months, hoping to cash in on one of the richest prizes in racing. With victory, owner Rich Ricci stands to pocket £2.4 million. Paddy Power has reported that Vauban is a six-figure loser in their book, and their traders predict that his odds could go as low as 2-1. The betting world is eagerly awaiting the outcome of the race.
A Work to be Feared
Trainer Mick Price recently watched Vauban's impressive workout at Flemington and was left "scared" for the competition. Vauban effortlessly outperformed Ebor winner Absurde, leaving Price in awe of his talent and fitness. Price believes that Vauban will be the toughest and fittest horse in the race, and he has a lot of respect for his capabilities. It seems that the competition will have their work cut out for them.
Tactics and Strategy
Trainer David Casey will make final preparations for the Melbourne Cup after the draw is made on Saturday. He will then come up with tactics for the race, but it's likely that Vauban will lead from the front, just as he did when winning at Royal Ascot. The race, which stops a nation, will take place at 4am UK time on Tuesday, and all eyes will be on Vauban as he aims for victory.
