Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott are taking a strategic long-term approach with top-tier stayer Vauban, locking in a start in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes this Saturday as part of their roadmap toward the Melbourne Cup 2025.
The Tulloch Lodge training duo has chosen the 2000m feature race over the Sydney Cup (3200m), seeing it as a key stepping stone toward building the horse’s campaign for a spring Cup tilt. The Queen Elizabeth shapes as a blockbuster, featuring a deep field that includes Via Sistina, Dubai Honour from the William Haggas stable, and Ceolwulf.
“We were open to both,” Bott said.
“We know he can run two miles but we have also seen he can be effective over these shorter trips.
“We’re also trying to prepare him for two miles down the track and I don’t mind the idea of trying to get him competitive at this weight-for-age racing first.”
Vauban, who previously raced in Europe, has hit the ground running since switching to the Waterhouse-Bott stable late last year. He returned with an impressive win in the Sky High Stakes (2000m) and followed up with a strong third-place effort behind Dubai Honour and Duke De Sessa in the Tancred Stakes (2400m).
Despite the shorter trip this weekend, Bott is confident the Queen Elizabeth Stakes will suit Vauban and offer another chance to test him at elite level conditions.
“It’s great being there and exciting to have him being part of it. He is well and truly capable of being competitive there,” Bott said.
“Most importantly, he came out of his last run really well and even though he didn’t win, there were some improvements we saw out of it off the back of his first-up win.
“It’s not easy going to that weight-for-age level and he’s got to step up again to go to the Queen Elizabeth but I think it’s a nice race for him.”