Maher loads G1 Australian Cup bases

Ciaron Maher has never had a stronger lineup for the Australian Cup than this year, but the stable remains cautious ahead of Saturday’s $2.5 million Group 1 race at Flemington.

Pride Of Jenni, Middle Earth, and Light Infantry Man are leading the betting for the 2000-metre weight-for-age event, which received 14 nominations on Monday.

Despite Maher still seeking his first Australian Cup victory, having finished second with Pride Of Jenni in 2023 and Jameka in 2017, assistant trainer Jack Turnbull remains optimistic about their chances.

"We have the first three in the market, it doesn't always eventuate that way, but it's nice to have those horses there because it's not their grand finals either," Turnbull said.

"It would be fantastic for our stable, and the horses, if they were able to win and then they can go up to Sydney."

Pride Of Jenni is the favorite after a commanding all-the-way win in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m).

Last year, the seven-year-old came into the race differently, having won the All-Star Mile before a narrow defeat to Cascadian at Flemington. Turnbull is pleased with how she has adapted to a lighter campaign.

"She had a very good base put into her at Tony's (Ottobre, owner) and then we did the latter part at Cranbourne and what we saw early was that she was more forward than what you would expect," Turnbull said.

"We stepped her up incrementally due to that and that's what gave us the confidence to go one jumpout, which was a strong hitout, into the 1800.

"We thought, low field-size (and) less pressure, she wouldn't get taken on with what was in the field and it worked out a treat.

"At this stage it's all systems go."

Middle Earth, a well-regarded European acquisition, will make only his second Southern Hemisphere start in the Australian Cup. He was purchased last year as a potential Cups contender but didn’t debut until March 8, when he won the Australian Cup Prelude (2000m).

"He's got decent form in Europe and he's one of those higher-class gallopers that could do anything," Turnbull said.

"He will stay further than 2000, we know that, but while he's sharp and early in his prep we thought we'd give him a crack at the Australian Cup."

Light Infantry Man, who placed third in the All-Star Mile, is another import finally realizing his potential. Turnbull is eager to see how he performs over 2000m.

"If you had have asked Ciaron and I 12 months ago if he would run third in an All-Star Mile we probably would have said no," Turnbull said.

"But since Perth and that last prep, after he won the Northerly (Stakes), he's just kept improving physically and in the mind and that's obviously showing raceday."