Maher stable win 2025 Bendigo Cup with Sayedaty Sadaty

Ciaron Maher believes Sayedaty Sadaty may yet earn his place in the field for the Melbourne Cup after outstaying his rivals in Wednesday’s Bendigo Cup.

Before the Bendigo feature, Sayedaty Sadaty sat at 35th in the Cup ballot order. While the victory will elevate his ranking, the gelding still appears likely to require a penalty to be certain of earning a start.

Ridden by Harry Coffey, the $6.50 chance produced a professional, sustained run to defeat Quietness ($3.30) by a length, with Raging Bull ($61) back in third.

The victory continued Maher’s remarkable Bendigo Cup record, with previous winners Interpretation (2023) and High Emocean (2022) going on to place in the Melbourne Cup.

Sayedaty Sadaty arrived in Australia last spring and contested the Caulfield Cup, but Maher said the horse was not suited so soon after travelling.

This preparation has been about building rhythm and learning to relax in running. His third in the Archer Stakes showed progress, while his run in The Bart Cummings was undone by mid-race pressure.

“The Archer run was very good and then that next one, it just didn’t suit him that race shape at all when the other horse took off,” Maher said.

“The horse is deep into the preparation, he’s run super and we’ll see where he fits on Tuesday.”

With Coffey committed elsewhere, Maher will need to secure a replacement rider should the horse make the field.

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