The Ciaron Maher stable will attempt to turn back the clock with veteran stayer Smokin’ Romans when he lines up in the Pakenham Cup.
The nine-year-old is one of three Maher-trained runners contesting Saturday’s 2500m Listed feature.
Smokin’ Romans rose to prominence when he won the 2021 Pakenham Cup after a strong winter campaign that included three wins and two runner-up finishes, one a narrow defeat in the Bendigo Cup (2400m).
The following spring, he captured the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) and started favourite in both the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup, finishing seventh in each.
Still a familiar presence in staying races, Smokin’ Romans added the Warrnambool Cup to his record in May.
Assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said glimpses of the gelding’s best remained evident despite recent races not unfolding to suit.
“Smokey has been pretty frustrating,” Turnbull said.
“His last couple of runs haven’t worked out as to how we would have liked.
“He’s a free rolling horse that you have to pinch breaks with when you can, and he hasn’t quite had that, both with barrier and the horse himself.
“We haven’t done much with him and the idea is to try and rejuvenate him, where he can step, free roll and hopefully the class of horse is less again.
“This was the race that set him up a while ago and this is a nice time of year for him and if he brings his best, he will be there for a long way.”
Stablemate Strawberry Rock also lines up with improved conditions expected to help him bounce back from a heavy-track ninth at Flemington during Cup week.
“It was too wet for him last time and then we took him out of the Zipping because of a bad blood, but it was only one day, and he seems bright and well now,” Turnbull said.
“He had a tick over jump-out and hopefully the track is better for him.
“He needs ground and everything to go his way, but it’s getting the miles in the legs.”
The Maher team’s third runner, Ziryab, heads to the Pakenham Cup instead of carrying a big weight in benchmark grade.
Turnbull said Ziryab will take significant benefit from his last-start second at Caulfield over 2400m.
“He needed plenty of riding and that was his first run at the trip this time in, so he’ll improve plenty from it,” Turnbull said.
“There’s no doubt the trip is what he’s looking for.
“We could look at the Bagot Handicap on New Year’s Eve with him as he stays well and he will have the runs under him.”
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