High-profile import Vauban impressed in his first start for the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable, winning the Group 3 Sky High Stakes at Rosehill.

Previously trained by Willie Mullins, Vauban has raced in the past two Melbourne Cups, starting as a favourite in 2023 but finishing unplaced. After the 2023 Cup, he was acquired by Australian Bloodstock in partnership with Waterhouse and Bott, remaining in Australia for his new campaign.

Despite sweating up in the heat and showing some excitability in the mounting yard, Vauban ($9) settled at the back of the small field and surged home to defeat Group 1 winner Arapaho ($4.60) by half a head. The $1.75 favourite Lindermann finished third.

Bott praised Vauban’s talent and was pleased with his performance, noting that the gelding’s quirks would be worked through as he adapted.

“He’s obviously got plenty of talent,” Bott said. “It was a big win today, especially coming from a slow tempo.”

Vauban is now set to target the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) in two weeks, with the possibility of progressing to the Sydney Cup (3200m) later in the autumn.

Clark, Vauban’s jockey, was impressed with the win, despite the horse’s pre-race energy. “That was some win,” Clark said. “A fantastic training effort by Gai and Adrian.”

Vauban is now an early favourite for both the Melbourne Cup and the Tancred Stakes.