Maher sweats on 2025 Caulfield Cup make-up
Ciaron Maher is preparing a strong team for Saturday’s $5 million Caulfield Cup (2400m), though the champion trainer admits a couple of his leading hopes may need some luck to make the final field.
Royal Supremacy’s participation depends on whether topweight Buckaroo, last year’s runner-up, takes his place. The Metropolitan winner currently sits on the cusp of a Cup start after being bumped up the order when Changingoftheguard was withdrawn. “I thought he would just win the Newcastle Cup, but it turns out the form from that is very good, and it all lined up in the Metrop,” Maher said. “He’s improving all the time. He grabs the bit and with each run he races better. He was quite strong on the line (in The Metropolitan).”
Fellow stablemates Berkshire Breeze and Zardozi are also in contention but face the prospect of starting as emergencies. Zardozi, who ran fourth in the Caulfield Cup last year, hasn’t quite found her rhythm this campaign, with mixed performances in the So You Think Stakes, Underwood Stakes and Turnbull Stakes.
“Her first run was good and you’d say her next two have been under (par),” Maher said. “Last week I expected more. I didn’t think she could win, but I expected more. I might just try some head gear on her, possibly. (In) a mile-and-a-half handicap, we’ll roll the dice with her. She used to pull and tug a bit, but she seems different now, so maybe the shades might be the key that she needs.”
Maher also has Middle Earth entered, with the former UK stayer expected to relish the rise to 2400m after finding shorter trips too sharp. “He was a bit slow away the other day, which was not ideal, but I think he’s on track,” Maher said. “He’s never been to the mile and a half (2400m) since we’ve had him here, and he’s a mile-and-a-half-plus horse.”
Brayden Star, winner of last weekend’s Herbert Power Stakes, holds a ballot exemption and could yet bolster Maher’s assault if his trainers decide to back him up. The final Caulfield Cup lineup and barrier draw will be revealed on Wednesday morning at Caulfield.
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