Melbourne Cup 2023 odds: Vauban firm favourite for Flemington glory

“We wouldn’t want to forget Absurde either, he did it very well with Frankie (Dettori) in the Ebor, Frankie gave him a terrific ride there.

“He has quarantined very well, and I think he’s in great shape.”

Zac Purton has been booked to ride Absurde and Mullins feels he has improved since clashing with Vauban at the Royal meeting.

“I think it’s going to be a different race and I think Absurde is going to be a different horse as well,” added the Irish trainer on racing.com.

“He’s learned to settle a good bit more and now that he’s got a nice draw, I think he’ll be able to put him where he wants him and that’ll make a huge difference.

“There was probably 20 lengths between them passing the winning post the first time around at Royal Ascot, there won’t be that here, I hope.”

Joseph O’Brien has already sent down two previous winners in Rekindling and Twilight Payment and relies on Okita Soushi (66/1) for the Melbourne Cup 2023.

He was also a Royal Ascot scorer in the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes but struggled in the Caulfield Cup last time out and is an outsider here after being drawn out wide in stall 20.

Defending champion Gold Trip (9/2) will line up alongside Vauban in stall two, former William Haggas inmate Soulcombe (9/1) is in four and Caulfield Cup hero Without A Fight (5/1), previously trained by Simon and Ed Crisford, has drawn 16.

Melbourne Cup 2023 odds

9/4 Vauban

9/2 Gold Trip

5/1 Without a Fight

9/1 Soulcombe

12/1 Absurde

16/1 Breakup

20/1 Cleveland, Lastotchka, Future History

25/1 Vow and Declare

33/1 bar

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All odds and market correct at date of publication