Trainer Ciaron Maher wins his first Warrnambool Cup
Ciaron Maher finally ticked off a major flat race at the Warrnambool Carnival, with Smokin’ Romans claiming the Listed Warrnambool Cup in a brave front-running effort.
Despite a decorated jumps record including seven Grand Annual Steeplechase wins, Maher had yet to win one of the Carnival’s premier flat events — the Cup or the Wangoom Handicap — until now.
Smokin’ Romans, sent out at $9 and partnered by Ben Melham, made all the running and just lasted to beat Torranzino ($12) in Thursday’s 2350m feature.
Maher, a Warrnambool local, had three contenders in the race, with Ziryab finishing third and Strawberry Rock taking fifth place behind the stable star.
“I thought we had a pretty good chance here today. I’m absolutely rapt,” Maher told racing.com.
“He’s been such a great horse. To win a Group 1 and then carry a topweight like that.
“What a fantastic ride from Ben. He understands this horse really well.”
While it was Maher’s first Warrnambool Cup win, Melham had previously taken out the race in 2010 aboard Hissing Sid and once again showed his class.
Drawing barrier one, Melham hugged the rail and never gave up the lead.
“The track has had a lot of traffic, and I thought I would stay hard on the rail,” Melham said.
“I wanted to lead on him because of the big weight, and I didn’t want to be stop-starting on him.
“He had to do a bit of work going out of the straight and it was only the weight (59kg) late that brought him back over the line.
“He is a Group 1 winner, who has a bit of class, but he can mix his form a little bit, but he does seem to go well for me.”
Melham and Smokin’ Romans had already tasted success together in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) during the Melbourne Cup Carnival and also combined to run second in the Group 2 Sandown Classic (2400m) at Caulfield.
More Racing News
Mr consistency heads to the 2026 Ballarat Cup
Ocean Beyond might not always warm the hearts of punters, but he remains an exceptionally consistent earner for his connections. The Simon Ryan-trained gelding will attempt to secure his biggest payday yet when he contests the $500,000 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) on Saturday, entering the race with more than $535,000 already...
Bar raised for in-form colt Swift Legend
Swift Legend has earned his opportunity in stronger company after back-to-back midweek victories, but jockey Jason Collett remains cautious as the colt continues to mature. The Dundeel youngster lines up in Sunday’s Vinnie @ Yarraman Park Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill, stepping out from recent wins at Warwick Farm and Canterbury. Collett says...
Inhabit out to book a 2026 Magic Millions Classic trip
Unbeaten filly Inhabit will be racing for a Magic Millions berth when she steps out again on Saturday. A stylish debut winner at Murray Bridge in October, she now lines up in the Sportsbet Same Race Multi Two-Year-Old Plate (1000m) at Morphettville Parks. Her assignment has been simplified with three scratchings, leaving...
Rob and Annabel Archibald hoping to return north with West Of Africa
Despite Sydney lacking a feature race this weekend, Sunday’s Rosehill program will be pivotal for Rob and Annabel Archibald as they shape their Magic Millions carnival team. The Archibalds will run West Of Africa and Mickey’s Medal in the TAB Handicap (1400m), with both aiming to justify a January trip to...
Tommy Berry to test the summer carnival waters in 2025 George Moore Stakes
Tommy Berry will be a key figure in Brisbane this weekend as he reunites with Caballus, while also unveiling a valuable Magic Millions hopeful. Berry’s association with Caballus includes a Flemington stakes win two starts ago, prior to the sprinter backing up into the Champions Sprint, where he was unplaced behind...
SA raider Promises Kept chases 2025 Ballarat Cup
Trainer Michael Hickmott is confident that new stable acquisition Promises Kept can give his owners plenty to look forward to over the next fortnight. The gelding heads east for Saturday’s Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) and may then target the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) seven days later. Previously trained by Greg Eurell and...
Michael Dee makes Ascot return for Apulia in 2025 Northerly Stakes
Group 1-winning jockey Michael Dee is set to make a rare Perth appearance as he chases more elite-level success aboard Apulia. Dee will ride the Lindsay Park-trained entire in the Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot, marking his first visit to the track since November 2018. The Victorian lightweight has a strong record...
Son of ill-fated stallion St Jean scores impressive debut win
Melek, a staying-bred son of St Jean, made the perfect start to his racing career with a determined win over the mile at Caulfield Heath on Wednesday. The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old debuted in the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1600m) and made an immediate impact. Starting at $4.20 after firming late, Melek charged...
Weather prompts Rosehill races transfer
Saturday’s Rosehill race meeting will now be held on Sunday after Racing NSW moved to avoid anticipated extreme heat across Sydney, with temperatures set to surge past 40 degrees. Racing NSW stewards had tracked forecasts closely all week and, with no relief in sight, chief steward Tom Moxon confirmed the rescheduling...
Air has second Assault on the 2025 Ballarat Cup
A mature and more composed Air Assault will attempt to push his prizemoney beyond $1 million when he lines up in Saturday’s Ballarat Cup. Trainer Andrew Gluyas says the gelding has finally pieced it all together after years of racing keenly, noting the now nine-time winner has developed into a tractable,...