At Rosehill, Vauban looks to commence the autumn carnival identically to last year by capturing the Sky High Stakes.

Co-trainer Adrian Bott noted the choice to mirror the preparation from 12 months previous, particularly for the first couple of appearances.

“It’s the race he won twelve months ago, so we tried to do a similar prep for him,” Bott said.

“He is well placed, and he seems in good shape.”

Vauban succeeded in the Sky High Stakes (2000m) last year, then was third behind Dubai Honour and Duke De Sessa in the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m).

Both contests are planned again, alongside potential Brisbane winter carnival targets further ahead.

“Last year we went to the Tancred, which he was a touch unlucky in. If he resumes as well as he did last year, all things being equal we will look at that race again,” Bott said.

“If not, there are other targets we can look at.

“He’s not confirmed for a Sydney Cup path this time through, we might just keep him at that 2000, 2400 and then potentially look at some options in Queensland as well.”

Vauban last raced when sixth in the Melbourne Cup but boasts three trials sharpening him for reappearance.

While spring Cup efforts test equine stamina, Bott reports Vauban has excelled afterward.

“It’s amazing. He has thrived off the back of it,” he said.

“He has just looked looked tremendous this campaign, so hopefully that’s a good indication.”

In the Sky High, the stable runs Just Fine too, with Bott expecting fitter form than his midfield run in the Parramatta Cup (2000m) three lengths away.

After a 10-month layoff, his home efforts have been encouraging.

“He’d had a while off the scene so he will be better for that run,” Bott said.

“He finished alongside Campaldino the other day, who then came out and won well.

“I was really pleased with him going into that run, and I still have been.”

Tulloch Lodge joins just one other stable in the Sky High Stakes, Chris Waller with seven entrants.

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