Mullins on the hunt for rare double
Willie Mullins will arrive in Melbourne on the hunt for a rare double. The Irish trainer will land in the country to watch Absurde (Fastnet Rock) line up for a third time in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) fresh from being supplied with his first win at the Breeders’ Cup meeting on Saturday.
Mullins tasted his first victory at the prestigious meeting when Ethical Diamond (Awtaad) defeated a talent-packed Breeders’ Cup Turf (Gr 1, 12f) field at Del Mar. Absurde has finished seventh and fifth respectively in the past two Melbourne Cups and his third attempt comes after a pleasing seventh in the Caulfield Cup (Gr 1, 2400m) on October 18.
However, it has not been plainsailing in the lead up to this year’s Flemington showpiece for Mullins camp. They had a scare on Thursday when Racing Victoria vets said the gelding had an altered gait from video supplied prior to coming to Melbourne.
David Casey, who has been in Melbourne looking after Absurde, was not concerned and the gelding was given the green light to start by RV vets on Saturday morning. All Melbourne Cup runners need to pass a final fitness test on Monday.
“I check him after every run and piece of work at home, and I know the way he is,” Casey said.
“It [the inspection] was soon after his piece of work [on Thursday] and I knew he would be fine the next morning.
“Thankfully, he was good on Friday and again on Saturday morning and touch wood, I expect everything to be good on Monday.”
In a change to previous trips for the Cup, Absurde had a lead up race in the Caulfield Cup, finishing seventh to Cup favourite Half Yours (St Jean).
“He pulled out of the run very good,” Casey said.
“I think the race did him the world of good and his work during the week was very good.
“I’m not sure that we want all the rain that is coming, but we’ll deal with it and we’re looking forward to the race.”
Kerrin McEvoy is looking to join Harry White and Bobbie Lewis on four Cup winners when he partners Absurde on Tuesday.