Ben Allen will make his long-awaited return to one of Australia’s great staying races when he partners Irish stayer Absurde in Saturday’s Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield.

The booking marks Allen’s first ride in the prestigious handicap since 2018, when he partnered Night’s Watch, and comes courtesy of a reunion with Irish maestro Willie Mullins, for whom he previously rode Thomas Hobson in the 2017 Melbourne Cup (3200m).

Back then, Allen was a 17-year-old apprentice called upon as a late replacement after Joao Moreira was injured in a fall earlier in the day. He steered Thomas Hobson to a commendable sixth, impressing Mullins’ team enough to earn another chance eight years later.

“I asked my manager to give them a call and see if the ride was available, but we only had an old number for them, and it was disconnected,” Allen said. “By chance, Paul Bloodworth gave her a call after he had put together a list of riders for them. I did ride Thomas Hobson in the Melbourne Cup, so maybe that helped.”

This time, Allen will partner Absurde in the Caulfield Cup before Kerrin McEvoy takes over for the Melbourne Cup at Flemington on November 4. Allen said he was thrilled to be back in one of Australia’s richest races and keen to make the most of the opportunity.

“I’ve watched a couple of his Cup runs and I’ll go and have a look at the rest of races,” Allen said. “He looks the ideal ride for this type of staying race, and he will need a genuine tempo and nine times out of 10 they are run at a pretty good gallop. It’s been a while since I’ve ridden in the Caulfield Cup, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Absurde will be one of several international stayers representing Ireland in the Caulfield Cup, and Allen’s association with Mullins adds another layer of intrigue to the global flavour of this year’s event. For the latest markets and offers on the Caulfield Cup, visit Australia’s leading betting sites.