Veteran galloper Smokin’ Romans might be advancing in age, but trainer Ciaron Maher is encouraged by his recent form and is ready to give the gelding another shot at Group 1 glory.
He will contest the Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on Saturday, joining stablemates Zardozi and Middle Earth as the Maher team looks to turn back the clock.
Back in 2022 at this same meeting, Smokin’ Romans captured the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) before following up with a Group 1 triumph in the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.
That spring, he was sent out favourite in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), finishing seventh, before also placing seventh behind Gold Trip in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).
Now nine, Smokin’ Romans has been allotted 55.5kg in this year’s Caulfield Cup and 53.5kg in the Melbourne Cup, with Maher indicating the gelding is being aimed towards Caulfield once again.
Across 50 career starts, Smokin’ Romans has registered 11 wins and nearly $2.4 million in prize money, proving a valuable performer for his owners and stable.
He came agonisingly close to win number 12 when reeled in late by Revelare over 2000m at Caulfield on August 30. Revelare subsequently went on to claim the Group 3 Archer Stakes (2500m) at Flemington and secure a Melbourne Cup start.
“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.”
The stable also has high hopes for Middle Earth, who they view as a leading Cups prospect. He resumed at Caulfield on August 30 with a solid effort behind Revelare, his first run since the autumn and his debut campaign in Australia.
Middle Earth has been weighted with 56.5kg in the Caulfield Cup and 54.5kg in the Melbourne Cup.
Maher galloped him at Caulfield again on Tuesday, though he acknowledged that Saturday’s trip may not be ideal.
“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 runner the stable is excited about is Zardozi, a recent acquisition from Godolphin. Formerly prepared by James Cummings, she made her first appearance for Maher when running on strongly for fifth in the So You Think Stakes (1500m) at Moonee Valley on September 6.
“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.”
Punters keen to back Smokin’ Romans in the Underwood Stakes can find the latest odds through Australia’s leading betting sites.