Caulfield leap of faith for Absurde

MELBOURNE The Irish-trained stayer Absurde is on his third trip to Melbourne but will be having his first shot at Caulfield Cup glory.

The Willie Mullins stable has changed mode on its attack for the Melbourne Cup with Absurde, who will run at Caulfield in the lead-up to this year's race.

The Fastnet Rock eight-year-old is back in Melbourne for the third time and will run in the A$5 million (S$ 4.19 million) Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2,400m) on Oct 18 in a change-up from his previous two trips.

Three-time Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy, who partnered Absurde to fifth place behind Knight's Choice in 2024, retains the ride for the first Tuesday of November while Ben Allen has been booked for the Caulfield Cup ride.

Assistant-trainer David Casey has travelled each time with Absurde, who has previously had former stablemate Vauban as a travelling companion.

Vauban is now in the care of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and is also scheduled to start in the Caulfield Cup.

Casey said giving Absurde a start, before the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3,200m) at Flemington on Nov 4, was not something new for the stable.

However, in previous Melbourne trips, Absurde had gone straight to the Cup.

"We've come out early to get a run into him this time," said Casey.

"It's something we have done before, and we've decided to give it a go with him.

"We thought the Caulfield Cup would suit him and I'm hoping he goes in there with a chance.

"Hopefully they go a good gallop, and they sustain it over the shorter trip, as that is what he likes."

Since the 2024 visit, Absurde has won over hurdles at Plumpton and ran third over the flights during the famous Cheltenham Festival while, at his latest run, he ran third in the Irish St Leger (2,816m) at The Curragh on Aug 16.

The stamina of the seven-time winner is not in doubt. He has won over distances ranging from 2,000m to as far as 4,023m.

Having been stabled in the same box at the Werribee quarantine centre as he has in previous years, the stayer seems to know where he is.

"He's used to the travelling, and he perked up when he got here," said Casey.

"He recognises where he is and he's enjoying the sun on his back.

"It's been quite windy during the day, but that doesn't worry him as it's quite windy back home.

"He seems good and everything has been good so far and he worked well on Thursday."

A number of the international horses engaged in the Caulfield Cup are expected to head to Caulfield on Oct 14 for a gallop and a look at the stabling on course.

Casey said Absurde was likely to remain at Werribee to finalise preparations for the Oct 18 race.

"We'll keep him ticking over. I think he's pretty straight and in a good place," said Casey.

"We'll see how he goes on Saturday, but the plan following that is to go to Flemington for the Melbourne Cup."

Casey said he was unsure whether Mullins would fly into Melbourne for the Caulfield Cup, but if he did, it would be closer to race day.

Absurde is one of four internationals - all from the Northern Hemisphere - still in the running to make the cut of the final 18.

The others are fellow UK-based Meydaan for Simon and Ed Crisford, French raider Presage Nocturne for Italian trainer Alessandro Botti and Japanese mare Golden Snap for Katsunori Tanaka.

Of the foreign quartet, Meydaan is the most fancied as a 7-1 second favourite behind local hope Half Yours.

The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained galloper firmed as the 8-5 favourite, following his fast-finishing fourth in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2,000m) on Oct 4. RACING AND SPORTS