Nick Luck talks all things Melbourne Cup with Lydia Hislop and ahead of the ‘Race The Stops A Nation’ has roped in top Aussie broadcaster Jim McGratch to catch up with Vauban’s owner and trainer; Rich Ricci and Willie Mullins.
Vauban’s Owner Rich Ricci: “It’s All Going According To Plan and He’s Spot-on – But The Ground Worries Me Slightly and Gold Trip is a Very Good Horse “
Former BBC horse racing commentator Jim McGrath caught up with popular owner Rich Ricci, who runs the red-hot Melbourne Cup favourite Vauban in Tuesday’s race. Ricci had a second in 2015 with Max Dynamite and he’s made it no secret that this Flemington Park race is one he wants on his CV – can he go one better with Vauban?
Ricci told Jim McGrath on his Daily Podcast (6th Nov) “It’s all going to plan; I wanted single digits as I could but not being number one (Vauban is drawn 3). The horse is in good nick and the draws gone well so fingers crossed. I spoke to David Casey at the stable last night and he’s very very happy. I also spoke to Patrick Mullins earlier and went to see him this morning – the horse looks a picture and I think they have him spot-on and will be ready to rock on Tuesday.”
“Previously we came to the race on a bit of a whim or an afterthought – let’s give it a go – but this has been a plan (with Vauban) and we were thoughtful about where we ran him and his hurdle campaign last season. So, this time I’m a lot more hopeful and dare I say confident that he’ll run a really good race – a place vs a whim is a big difference and hoping for the best.”
When quizzed about his biggest fear by McGrath
“The ground worries (fast) and I think Gold Trip (last year’s winner) is a very good horse. While Willie’s other horse Absurde always worries me because as we know Willie can produce two horses in a race and the favourite doesn’t always win.”
“But the biggest fear I have is the horse fires and breaks well, while a little rain wouldn’t hurt, but I’d say the ground, but they will make it so it’s safe, I’m sure.”
“It would be right up there with anything we’ve done at Cheltenham and any National Hunt owner I speak to about what race could you win outside National Hunt and always mention the Melbourne Cup.”
Bet On Vauban at 9/4 with BetMGM
Willie Mullins: “You Need To Be Ahead Of The Handicapper and Have The Draw – I Think We Have Both”
Willie Mullins: “I’m happy and delighted as Rich did well with the drawn 3 as it seems to be very important in this race. Even though there’s a long straight as I think to get out and as it’s just easier to get out and get a position – even in a 2m race. It’s very hard in Australia to come from wide, it’s just so much easier to get a position.”
“You need to be ahead of the handicapper I think in this race and you need the draw – and I think we’ve got both this time around. The negative I would see in this was protecting his mark meant we couldn’t run him a lot and the Australians wouldn’t like that as they would rather see horses running more before the race, whereas in Europe we tend to plan a horse for a race.”
Absurde A Great Each-Way Price According To Willie Mullins
“Watching the times (Vauban in the track over here in work) and I saw him this morning and our two horses are in great shape. And re Absurde, he’s in as good a form as Vauban and has a lovely light weight, so for each-way punters I’d wouldn’t be afraid.”
Bet On Absurde at 14/1 with BetMGM
LISTEN: To The FULL Nick Luck Daily Podcast Ahead Of The Melbourne Cup
Tune in to the Nick Luck Daily Podcast here to hear the Rich Ricci and Willie Mullins interview in full. Plus other interviews from top Aussie trainer Ciaron Maher and Soulcombe owner Ben Arbib.
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