Monday's racing roundup includes news of British superstars arriving in Melbourne…
Vauban arrives back in Australia ahead of his second Melbourne Cup bid. The Willie-Mullins trained gelding was sent off favourite in last year's contest but ended up finishing fourteenth. He will be joined by stablemate and former Ebor Handicap winner Abusurde, who finished seventh in last year's Melbourne Cup. Group One St Leger winner Jan Breughel has also arrived in Victoria for the Aidan O'Brien team, who confirmed that Ryan Moore will take the ride on the three-year-old in the Melbourne Cup.
Ascot is ready for a significant amount of rain to fall ahead of Saturday's British Champions Day. The card is reported to be not under any threat, with the potential switch to the inner course if needed. Bear in mind that this decision can be taken no later than 8 AM on Saturday should course officials deem the ground unsafe on the regular course. The Berkshire track could be hit with 25mm of rain this week, after having 10mm of rain on Sunday night. The British Champions Day card features four Group One's and £4 million in prize money.
Soprano will head to Del Mar for the Breeders' Cup. The Highclere Thoroughbred-owned filly ran second at Keeneland in the Grade One Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup, with Billy Loughnane riding for the first time in America. The aim for the Royal Ascot winner will now be the Grade One Filly And Mare Turf at the Breeders' Cup, stepping up to a distance of one mile and four furlongs. No decisions have been made yet as to who will ride Soprano in the race in November.