Rival connections of Melbourne Cup favourite Vauban have conceded they wouldn’t be surprised if he thrashes his opposition despite the Irish stayer losing his stranglehold on betting for the race that stops the nation.

Vauban, who was on course to start one of the shortest-priced favourites in the modern era, was an easing $4 favourite with Sportsbet on Sunday after Nick Williams, the son of record-breaking Cup owner Lloyd, described the horse “as good a thing to come out of Europe” as the Cup has seen.

He started Sunday as short as $3.30 with some bookmakers, before Caulfield Cup winner Without A Fight ($6) became the big firmer in the Cup countdown. Without A Fight joined last year’s winner Gold Trip on the second line of betting.

Trainer Willie Mullins has hatched a long-range plan for Vauban to land the master horseman’s first Melbourne Cup, and the men behind his main threat according to the market concede he might be a class above Tuesday’s field.

“They’re all beatable and $3 or $4 in a Melbourne Cup, you’d be a braver man than me,” said two-time Cup-winning syndicator Jamie Lovett, whose Australian Bloodstock will rely on Gold Trip, as well as Lastotchka and Ashrun.

“But it won’t shock me if he trots up. He is a high-quality horse, has a world-class trainer that has targeted the race and he gets [jockey] Ryan Moore. There’s not a lot to really pot him on.

“I understand [the hype]. But he won’t be the first horse who comes here and pops on Cup day. That’s what I’m holding out for.”

Vauban has won his last two races – including a demolition of Melbourne Cup rivals Absurde and More Felons during the Royal Ascot carnival earlier this year – and will carry 55.5kg at Flemington with his supporters on good terms when he drew barrier three.

Source: The Age