Lexus Melbourne Cup |
||
| Group 1 Handicap, Flemington 04:00 (UK time) A$ 8,000,000 3yo plus, 2m |
||
|
||
A first Royal @Ascot winner for @CallumSheppy! Isle Of Jura wins the Hardwicke Stakes! pic.twitter.com/rHEuGFRGLM
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 22, 2024
Ciaron Maher is already strategizing for Middle Earth after the four-year-old, co-owned with Qatar Racing, secured third place in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.
As expected, the Melbourne Cup is a key target, with the Caulfield Cup also likely to be part of his campaign.
However, before heading to Australia, John and Thady Gosden plan to race him in Europe at least once more.
“He was a little bit slow into gear and they only went a moderate tempo and he closed off really well,” Maher told www.racing.com.
“We’ll just work out where he is in terms of handicapping, but we’re very excited to get him out here.
“I’d say the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups would be the go.”
Maher also has an interest in the George Boughey-trained Chesham Stakes runner-up Pentle Bay, a New Bay colt he now owns in a partnership with Teme Valley Racing, who themselves only bought the juvenile after his debut win at Leicester.
“I was just going to see where the Caulfield Guineas sat with him, obviously it’s tough to do early in the season being a Northern Hemisphere two-year-old, three-year-old,” Maher said.
“He’s obviously got some ability, he’s bred to get over ground and you wouldn’t think a New Bay should be doing what he’s doing. He’s got plenty of options.”
Maher will also take care of Sayedaty Sadaty, fifth in the Derby for Andrew Balding.
He has been purchased by Australian Bloodstock, the team behind 2022 Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip.
“Our trick is we have to beat the handicapper, but we need to make sure we get into the race,” said Luke Murrell of Australian Bloodstock.
“He is probably going to be better suited at 2400 metres at this early stage. But he definitely profiles like he will stick on for a Melbourne Cup.
“He was third-up into the Derby, so his next two runs should hopefully be impressive and that will give us a better indication.”
Lexus Melbourne Cup (Group 1 Handicap)
A$ 8,000,000
3yo plus, 2m (3200 Metres)
entries
Going:
Recent Melbourne Cup Winners
| Year | Winner | Second | Third | Time |
| 2023 | Without A Fight | Soulcombe | Sheraz | 3:18.37 |
| 2022 | Gold Trip | Emissary | High Emocean | 3:24.04 |
| 2021 | Verry Elleegant | Incentivise | Spanish Mission | 3:17.43 |
| 2020 | Twilight Payment | Tiger Moth | Prince Of Arran | 3:17.34 |
| 2019 | Vow And Declare | Prince Of Arran | Il Paradiso | 3:24.76 |
| 2018 | Cross Counter | Marmelo | Prince Of Arran | 3:21.17 |
| 2017 | Rekindling | Johannes Vermeer | Max Dynamite | 3:21.19 |
| 2016 | Almandin | Heartbreak City | Hartnell | 3:20.58 |
| 2015 | Prince Of Penzance | Max Dynamite | Criterion | 3:22.15 |
| 2014 | Protectionist | Red Cadeaux | Who Shot Thebarman | 3:17.71 |
| 2013 | Fiorente | Red Cadeaux | Mount Athos | 3:20.30 |
| 2012 | Green Moon | Fiorente | Jakkalberry | 3:20.45 |
| 2011 | Dunaden | Red Cadeaux | Lucas Cranach | 3:20.84 |
| 2010 | Americain | Maluckyday | So You Think | 3:26.87 |
| 2009 | Shocking | Crime Scene | Mourilyan | 3:23.87 |
| 2008 | Viewed | Bauer | C’est La Guerre | 3:20.40 |
| 2007 | Efficient | Purple Moon | Mahler | 3:23.34 |
| 2006 | Delta Blues | Pop Rock | Maybe Better | 3:21.50 |
| 2005 | Makybe Diva | On A Jeune | Xcellent | 3:19.17 |
| 2004 | Makybe Diva | Vinnie Roe | Zazzman | 3:28.55 |
| 2003 | Makybe Diva | She’s Archie | Jardine’s Lookout | 3:19.90 |
| 2002 | Media Puzzle | Mr Prudent | Beekeeper | 3:16.97 |
| 2001 | Ethereal | Give The Slip | Persian Punch | 3:21.08 |
| 2000 | Brew | Yippyio | Second Coming | 3:18.68 |
| 1999 | Rogan Josh | Central Park | Lahar | 3:19.64 |
| 1998 | Jezabeel | Champagne | Persian Punch | 3:18.59 |
| 1997 | Might And Power | Doriemus | Markham | 3:18.33 |
| 1996 | Saintly | Count Chivas | Skybeau | 3:18.80 |
| 1995 | Doriemus | Nothin’ Leica Dane | Vintage Crop | 3:27.60 |
| 1994 | Jeune | Paris Lane | Oompala | 3:19.80 |
| 1993 | Vintage Crop | Te Akau Nick | Mercator | 3:23.40 |
| 1992 | Subzero | Veandercross | Castletown | 3:24.70 |
| 1991 | Let’s Elope | Shiva’s Revenge | Magnolia Hall | 3:18.90 |
| 1990 | Kingston Rule | The Phantom | Mr Brooker | 3:16.30 |
| 1989 | Tawrrific | Super Impose | Kudz | 3:17.10 |
| 1988 | Empire Rose | Natksi | Na Botto | 3:18.90 |
| 1987 | Kensei | Empire Rose | Rosedale | 3:22.00 |
| 1986 | At Talaq | Rising Fear | Sea Legend | 3:21.70 |
| 1985 | What A Nuisance | Koiro Corrie May | Tripsacum | 3:23.00 |
| 1984 | Black Night | Chagemar | Mapperley Heights | 3:18.90 |
| 1983 | Kiwi | Noble Comment | Mr Jazz | 3:18.90 |
| 1982 | Gurner’s Lane | Kingston Town | Noble Comment | 3:21.20 |
| 1981 | Just A Dash | El Laurena | Flashing Light | 3:21.20 |
| 1980 | Beldale Ball | My Blue Denim | Lover Bandit | 3:19.80 |
| 1979 | Hyperno | Salamander | Red Nose | 3:21.80 |
| 1978 | Arwon | Dandaleith | Karu | 3:24.30 |
| 1977 | Gold And Black | Reckless | Hyperno | 3:18.40 |
| 1976 | Van Der Hum | Gold And Black | Kythera | 3:34.10 |
| 1975 | Think Big | Holiday Waggon | Medici | 3:29.60 |
| 1974 | Think Big | Leilani | Captain Peri | 3:23.10 |
| 1973 | Gala Supreme | Glengowan | Daneson | 3:19.50 |
| 1972 | Piping Lane | Magnifique | Gunsynd | 3:19.30 |
| 1971 | Silver Knight | Igloo | Tails | 3:19.50 |
| 1970 | Baghdad Note | Vansittart | Clear Prince | 3:19.70 |
