King Charles III’s horse out to improve 2025 Melbourne Cup hopes

While King Charles III discusses world affairs with US President Donald Trump in the UK, his Melbourne Cup prospect Gilded Water will be flying the royal silks at Caulfield on Saturday.

The Ciaron Maher-trained galloper lines up in the benchmark 84 Handicap (2000m), a crucial stepping stone towards a potential tilt at the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 4.

Maher knows time is running out and the gelding must post wins to climb the order of entry.

Since arriving in Australia last year, Gilded Water has already made an impression with two wins at Kembla Grange and Randwick and a runner-up finish at Rosehill. He resumed this spring with two Cranbourne jump-outs before a sound third at Caulfield over 1800m on August 30.

“He was a very good run first-up off a very light prep and I’m looking forward to seeing him on Saturday,” Maher said.

“He’s going to have to sneak into the Cup through the back door, but he’s come through his first run really well, he’s grown up and improving all the time.

“The Caulfield Cup will probably come too quick for him but hopefully we can sneak him into the Melbourne Cup.”

To get there, Maher is eyeing qualifiers such as the Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2500m), the Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m), and the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m). A Geelong Cup tilt would be symbolic, as the King attended Geelong Grammar during the 1960s.

“He needs a couple of wins, but there’s a host of those races,” Maher said.

“He’s a pretty natural stayer and it will be a matter of getting him in the best way we can.

“Hopefully we’re talking about those races. He’s a progressive stayer but things have to go right to get there.”

Those looking to back Gilded Water at Caulfield can do so through Australia’s leading betting sites.