Ciaron Maher’s Smokey hope in 2025 Underwood Stakes field

Ciaron Maher believes his reliable stayer Smokin’ Romans still has what it takes to be competitive at the top level, with the gelding set for another crack at Group 1 company.

The veteran will line up in Saturday’s Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield, where he will be joined by stablemates Zardozi and Middle Earth.

In 2022, Smokin’ Romans announced himself with a Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) win before claiming the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington, setting him on a Cups path.

That campaign saw him start favourite in the Caulfield Cup (2400m), finishing seventh, before filling the same placing behind Gold Trip in the Melbourne Cup (3200m).

This spring he has been allocated 55.5kg in the Caulfield Cup and 53.5kg in the Melbourne Cup, with Maher pointing him back towards Caulfield as the main target.

From 50 runs, Smokin’ Romans has 11 victories and close to $2.4 million in stakes earnings, proving a durable and consistent performer.

At his last start on August 30 he was just overhauled late by Revelare over 2000m at Caulfield, with that horse later winning the Group 3 Archer Stakes (2500m) at Flemington to clinch a Melbourne Cup berth.

“He’s in a really good spot, Smokey,” Maher said.

“His form is good, and he carried a lot more weight than Revelare last time and Revelare has franked that form.

“He’s tracking along well, and I thought we could go back to the 1800 metres and he’s on track for the Caulfield Cup as well.”

Maher also highlighted Middle Earth as a genuine Cups prospect, with the import finishing strongly behind Revelare on his Australian resumption. He has been weighted with 56.5kg in the Caulfield Cup and 54.5kg in the Melbourne Cup.

“He’s ticking along the right way,” Maher said.

“He hit the line well first-up and he’ll strip fitter, but the 1800 metres is probably short of his best.”

Another to watch is Zardozi, who joined the Maher yard from Godolphin and James Cummings. She was a fast-finishing fifth in the So You Think Stakes (1500m) at Moonee Valley on September 6 at her first start for the stable.

“She’s come through her first-up run really well,” Maher said.

“She’s a clean-winded mare that hit the line nicely first-up. She’s coming along nicely and seems in a good spot for Saturday’s race.”

Those wanting to back Smokin’ Romans in the Underwood Stakes can find the latest markets at Australia’s top betting sites.