Tulloch Lodge trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott are positioning high-class stayer Vauban for success, with his entry in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes as part of a strategic plan for the Melbourne Cup 2025.

Bott confirmed this week that Vauban will race in Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m), where he will face competition from Via Sistina, William Haggas’ Dubai Honour, and Ceolwulf.

While the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Sydney Cup were both options, Bott believes the 2000m race is the better choice as they target the Melbourne Cup.

“We were open to both,” Bott said. “We know he can run two miles but we have also seen he can be effective over these shorter trips.”

Vauban, formerly trained in Europe, has impressed since joining Waterhouse and Bott, winning the Sky High Stakes (2000m) first-up and finishing third in the Tancred Stakes (2400m).

Bott is confident Vauban is ready for the challenge, saying, “It’s great being there and exciting to have him being part of it. He is well and truly capable of being competitive there.”