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winner currently sits on the cusp of a Cup start after being bumped up the order when Changingoftheguard was withdrawn.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.
Explore the full list of Caulfield Cup runners and betting markets via Australia’s best online bookmakers.
More Racing News
Midnight Dynamite's Path to the Big Dance After Rosehill Win
Connections of Midnight Dynamite are keen to see the horse contest a $3 million prize following his commanding performance in the Winter Challenge at Rosehill.Having added Saturday's stakes race to his triumph in last month's Listed Civic Stakes (1400m), the gelding is now slated for the Coffs Harbour Cup (1600m)...
Bold Soul's future may be over jumps after Flemington success
Connections have found Bold Soul, trained by Patrick Payne, to be a good earner on the flat, but his future might be better suited to hurdles.Bold Soul secured the Deane Lester Flemington Cup 1849 (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday, adding to his seven prior wins from 33 starts and boosting...
Sword Of Legacy's determined win follows Band Of Brothers' Ramornie success
Matthew Dunn's stable has enjoyed a prosperous week, capped by Sword Of Legacy's hard-fought victory at Rosehill. This triumph arrived just three days after Band Of Brothers, carrying the same lime, purple, and gold Hesket Thoroughbreds silks of David Moodie, captured the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton.Sword Of Legacy, sent out...
Ko Phangan claims Byerley Handicap at Flemington
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable continues its impressive run in qualifying races for Classic contenders with Ko Phangan's recent victory at Flemington.Ko Phangan's win in the Byerley Handicap (1800m) secures a coveted ballot exemption for either the Victoria Derby (2500m) or the VRC Oaks (2500m) during the Melbourne...
Joint Venture earns carnival ticket with Rosehill triumph
A late-developing two-year-old, Joint Venture, is now in contention for the initial three-year-old feature races after securing a crucial win at Rosehill.The impeccably bred son of I Am Invincible, a $625,000 yearling acquisition for the Newgate stallions syndicate, displayed significant progress from his debut second at Wyong, asserting his class...
Betwitchery ready to extend winning streak first-up
Betwitchery is set to extend her winning sequence as she makes her return to the racetrack at Flemington.The Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin-trained mare is scheduled to begin her new racing campaign in the VRC Member Brendan Sobozynski Plate, a 1200-metre contest, this Saturday.Betwitchery, who has won five...
Littlefield targets Magnolia Cup after Flemington engagements
Trainer Charlotte Littlefield is scheduled to travel back to the UK in approximately a week to participate in a charity race at the renowned Glorious Goodwood Festival.The Magnolia Cup is a distinguished charity event this year supporting Education Above All. It aims to gather funds to ensure access to education,...
General Salute set for Winter Challenge under favourable wet conditions
The arrival of overnight rain has alleviated Sterling Alexiou's primary concern regarding General Salute's prospects in the final black-type race of the Sydney season, following his recent victory in the Winter Stakes.All four of the gelding's previous wins have been recorded on rain-affected tracks. Earlier in the week, with Rosehill...
Burning Heartz set for Adelaide Stakes test
Trainer Gavin Bedggood envisions a future for Burning Heartz in an Oaks race, but his immediate goal is to secure some valuable Stakes black type for the filly.Burning Heartz, a winner on debut at Sandown on July 1, is now heading to Adelaide to contest the Group 3 South Australian...
King Pedro defies odds in thrilling Grafton Cup victory
King Pedro has cemented his credentials for the spring staying races following an exceptional display to win the Listed Grafton Cup, navigating a slow-paced affair.Trainer Tom Charlton, observing from his Sydney base, admitted to initial apprehension regarding the track's bias against backmarkers. These nerves were amplified when Tahlia Fenlon, on...