Winning back-to-back Melbourne Cups has proven to be a challenge in recent years, with no horse able to do so since the remarkable hat-trick achieved by Makybe Diva between 2003 and 2005. Gold Trip's aspirations of joining this elite club has its doubters, and they were only added to after being assigned top weight for the race on November 7th.

However, his recent triumph in the Turnbull Stakes has prompted a reevaluation, with betting experts melbourne-cup.online confirming a significant change in Gold Trip's Melbourne Cup odds, from 25/1 outsider to 8/1 contender.

Nevertheless, despite Gold Trip's resurgence, it’s Vauban who appears poised to set off as the clear favourite in one of the world's most lucrative flat racing events. The legendary jumps trainer, Willie Mullins, has set his sights on winning one of the biggest prestigious prizes in flat racing, sending two of his horses all the way out to Australia.

Mullins, more renowned for his achievements as a National Hunt trainer with a remarkable 94 wins at the Cheltenham Festival, explained his rationale for targeting the Melbourne Cup, stating, “As far as flat racing goes, this is possibly the pinnacle for us, alongside the likes of a Gold Cup horse in Ascot or the Prix du Cadran in Paris. The unique nature of the Melbourne Cup race certainly plays to our advantage, not to mention the enticing eight million Australian dollars on offer!”

Vauban's flat racing campaign has played out exactly as Mullins would have wished for thus far, with victory in the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot securing a coveted place in the Melbourne Cup. Concerns about Vauban would react to the long journey from Europe to Australia have been put to rest, as Mullins' assistant, David Casey, affirmed, "Vauban travelled well, he has been eating and drinking since his arrival, and he hasn't lost much weight. In fact, he's regained his form since arriving. We're thrilled to be participating and are hopeful of a competitive performance.”

While Casey's optimism is measured, racing commentator Matt Chapman doesn't hold back. He boldly suggested, “It might not even be worth running the race... the Australian handicappers could look like complete novices on the first Tuesday in November.”

Betting sites agree with Chapman's sentiment, with Vauban's odds now as short as 7/2 to secure victory in the Melbourne Cup. Furthermore, stablemate Absurde, who followed Vauban home in the Copper Horse Handicap, is also in good shape building up to the prestigious race. At odds of 16/1, it would be no surprise if the two combine to make it a night to remember in the Mullins camp.

Selected Melbourne Cup odds* according to melbourne-cup.online:

Vauban - 7/2

Soulcombe - 8/1

Gold Trip - 8/1

Breakup - 14/1

Just Fine - 14/1

Francesco Guardi - 16/1

Absurde - 16/1

Without a Fight - 16/1

*Odds correct at 5pm on 10th October 2023