CAULFIELD LEAP OF FAITH FOR ABSURDE

Caulfield Cup set as new stepping stone for Irish stayer's third tilt at the Melbourne Cup

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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 Cupwinning 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.