Ciaron Maher, a trainer distinguished by his success with stayers, heads Australia’s largest stable. His notable achievements include triumphs in two of the country’s longest races – the Grand Annual Steeplechase and the Jericho Cup – both claimed in his home town of Warrnambool, as well as Australia’s premier staying event, the Melbourne Cup.
Fresh from celebrating a second Melbourne Cup victory with Point Of Law, Maher was asked about his most desired race to win.
“I’ve always thought that if I had a horse good enough, the Ascot Gold Cup (at Royal Ascot in England) would be a nice race to have a horse run in,” Maher commented.
“Whether he’s up to that this year, or next year, whether it’s at all, but I think he’s world class.
“If he keeps developing, which you can see in the shape of him, the frame of him, he’s still got a lot of furnishing to do, it wouldn’t surprise me if he could race in some of the best races around the world.”
Point Of Law, a Northern Hemisphere-bred three-year-old colt, achieved his Melbourne Cup win on only his sixth career start this past Tuesday. Maher observed that the horse appeared calm when paraded on Wednesday.
“He’s pretty good, but he knows he’s had a run, I think,” Maher said.
“He’s normally pretty playful, but he was happy just to chill out there today.
“It’s pretty phenomenal in his first preparation really as we’ve only had him for a short amount of time, so it’s pretty surreal.”
Maher intends to consult with the connections to formulate a strategy over food and drinks.
He indicated that the Melbourne Cup would be a probable topic of discussion, alongside another attempt at Australia’s most famous race.
“I would hope so, and I’m sure the owners would too, but the handicapper does catch up with you pretty quick in that race,” Maher noted.
“We’ll nut out a bit of a plan over a few drinks and something to eat today and you wouldn’t rule out going back to England or Dubai, there’s some nice races there.
“It should be good fun, but we’re mindful that he is still raw.”
Maher possesses a discerning eye for talent and is also at the cutting edge of applying scientific principles and data analysis to train his extensive roster of horses.
“The art of training is peaking a horse on a certain day,” Maher elaborated.
“To get seven into a target race like that and have five of them finish in the top six and three in the top three, I’m very proud of the team and their efforts.
“Everyone uses data and systems, better efficiencies.
“I always look at the way humans are trained, like footy players, compared to the way they were trained 10 years ago. The change is huge compared to the way they used to train, and I think horse racing is no different.
“The only difference is obviously they can’t talk.”
Maher mentioned receiving a text from John Warren, racing manager for His Majesty The King, after Point Of Law’s win in the Geelong Cup.
He was uncertain if further messages had arrived post-Melbourne Cup, but Maher acknowledged he was still sifting through a large number of congratulatory communications.
Maher suggested it would be a bittersweet moment for The King, having previously sold Point Of Law to the trainer and his partners. However, Maher recalled a similar experience the previous year when Half Yours captured both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.
“I know exactly how he would be feeling because I did it the year before,” Maher stated.
“It can be a funny game racing, and it would be bittersweet, I would imagine.”
Punters keen on the Melbourne Cup winner’s potential international campaigns can find comprehensive betting markets at various Australian betting sites.