As an eternal optimist, I am banking on the adage of third time’s a charm here with Vauban. The former Melbourne Cup favourite returns this year as an “Aussie” contender having joined the stable of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott following last year’s unsuccessful Cup tilt.

Not since Empire Rose in 1988 has a horse won the Melbourne Cup at their third attempt, but Vauban comes into the race with a completely different lead-up and won’t have to step off the plane from Ireland and straight into the race, which has clearly not worked previously.

Vauban (left) will attempt to win the Cup on Tuesday, his third running in the race.Credit: Getty Images

The key here is the horse can be tricky. He had a habit of falling to........

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