Maher eyes Melbourne Cup record with eight horses in entry mix
The trainer could account for one-third of the field, exceeding the record of six runners set by Robert Hickmott in 2013.
Eight horses trained by Ciaron Maher sit among the top 25 entries for the A$10.2 million Melbourne Cup, giving him the prospect of a record number of starters at Flemington on 3 November.
Geelong Cup victor Point Of Law leads Maher’s prospects, while Juja Kibo gained a ballot exemption with victory in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup. The stable’s other potential starters are Shockletz, Mr Monaco, Middle Earth, Royal Supremacy, Saint George and Zahrann.
The existing record belongs to Robert Hickmott, who fielded six horses for owner Lloyd Williams in 2013. Maher, whose Gold Trip won in 2022, said his current group was his largest and, in his assessment, strongest.
Maher’s stable acquired Point Of Law from King Charles III’s royal stable following the horse’s July victory at Newmarket in the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy (2615m). That result was the son of Frankel’s second win from four starts, before his subsequent success at Geelong.
Maher described Point Of Law as young and raw ahead of what would be his sixth start. He also said Middle Earth had prepared well and was in better form after placing third behind Half Yours and Goodie Two Shoes in last year’s Cup.
