Ricci was in characteristically high spirits when asked about his charge’s chances – and why he’s so keen to return to Victoria. After all, he’s had several attempts at winning the Cup without success, and even when he does fly in, his larger-than-life personality attracts both admiration and good-natured ribbing from punters and the media alike.
“It’s an interesting question. It’s just such an iconic race, and we’ve come so close,” he explains, a hint of longing in his voice. “We are looked after so well, and we are desperate to win it.”
“Max Dynamite was second (in 2015) and third (in 2017). He should have won one. Thomas Hobson (2017) was drawn the parking lot, but he ran a great race. Vauban last year didn’t fire on the day, but we’ve learned a lot from that, so we’re aiming for it again.
“I love the people associated with the Cup. Leigh Jordon, the whole VRC, the fans, the media, and the excitement that builds up around it. The media likes to have a go at me, and I don’t mind because I’m a bit silly, and my name’s silly, and I give as good as I get, and I love that.
“The whole occasion is unlike anything else in the world.”
While Cheltenham and Royal Ascot are the pinnacles of jumps and flat racing in Britain, Ricci believes the atmosphere surrounding the Melbourne Cup Carnival is on another level.
“Great sport, great spectacle, great fashion, but in Melbourne, it just seems times three. It’s so concentrated and so important over the whole country, and that appeals to me.
“I’m just honoured to be a part of it. If I could ever win it, happy days. I’m so privileged to be part of it, I just love it.”
Vauban, trained by Ireland’s jump racing maestro Willie Mullins – no stranger to preparing high-class flat stayers – has had four runs this season following his disappointing Flemington foray last year.
He had six months off before resuming in the Yorkshire Cup (2800m), where he finished second to the well-credentialed Giavellotto, before running well in the Ascot Gold Cup (4000m) behind Europe’s champion stayer Kyprios.
The formerly French-trained gelding (he was bought initially to be a jumper and shifted to the Mullins stable midway through his three-year-old career) cruised into contention at Ascot but couldn’t sustain the marathon trip, fading into fourth position. He then ran third behind the highly regarded Tower of London in the Group 2 Curragh Cup before securing his ticket to Melbourne with a narrow win in the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup.
Ricci is optimistic that Vauban, who runs in the name and pink-and-lime green colours of his wife Susannah, will fare better this time around.
“We are always trying to learn and move forward in every aspect of our lives; racing is no different.
“Maybe we didn’t clip his coat enough last year. Maybe it was too hot on the day, maybe that piece of work was too much, maybe the occasion got to him. Hopefully, he is maturing. It was probably a combination of those factors that saw him not fire last time.
“I can’t wait to go back. We want to go and we want to win.”
