News
4 November, 2025
Local trainer has 3 runners in the Melbourne Cup
The 2025 Lexus Melbourne Cup will mark 165 “races that have stopped the nation”.
The 2025 Lexus Melbourne Cup will mark 165 “races that have stopped the nation”.
The race will run over 3,200 metres today at Flemington Racecourse, with the total prize money hitting $10 million for the first time. The field will be putting their best hoof forward for a share in the swag, prestige, champagne, and of course carrots and apples during the winner and placing celebrations.
Moss Vale trainer, Ciaron Maher who trained the 2022 Melbourne Cup winner, Gold Trip with David Eustace (ridden by Mark Zahra), has three horses running in the Cup this year;
1. Royal Supremacy (Barrier 21, $26)
The Australian Bloodstock back-up for Al Riffa, this 5YO gelding has won 5 of 14 starts and handled all surfaces. He scored a strong G1 The Metropolitan (2400m) win two starts back, and his Caulfield Cup 5th was a solid effort.
He’s progressive and carries a light 51kg. In the Caulfield Cup, he overcame a poor start from barrier six to finish strongly, and he has last year’s Cup-winning jockey Robbie Dolan aboard.
Royal Supremacy has raced beyond 2,500m once, finishing a well -held 2nd, however making the step up to 3,200m is yet to be proven.
2. Middle Earth (Barrier 13, $41)
The high-priced import won on his Australian debut in the Australian Cup Prelude (2,000m) but has managed just one placing from seven starts since. He ran below expectations at the Caulfield Cup, though he showed more promise with blinkers on in the JRA Cup (2,040m) at The Valley last start.
He was a G2 Hardwicke Stakes (2,414m) ‘placegetter' at Ascot and won a Listed race over 2,816m at York. His latest effort was his best for some time, and he’s solidly prepared for today.
3. Smokin’ Romans (Barrier 11, $61)
The Maher-trained 9YO finished 7th in the 2022 Melbourne Cup, coming off a G1 Turnbull Stakes win and an unplaced Caulfield Cup run as the $3.90 favourite. He’s had some good runs since, including an impressive win in this year’s Listed Warrnambool Cup (2,350m).
Smokin’ Romans races well on all surfaces and has a versatile style. He won the G3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2,600m) at Flemington last spring, proof that he can compete at this level.
Ciaron Maher Racing (CMR) has seven state of the art training facilities in Australia, one in Moss Vale, where champions are developed.
During an interview with The Australian’s Will Swanton on Sunday, when Ciaron was asked how his runners fared, he replied: “Royal Supremacy – he seems a horse that has endless amounts of energy.”
The five-year-old gelding was the first he mentioned.
With odds of $61 suggesting a middle-of-the-road runner, however, one of the great traditions of the Cup is that any horse in the field has a fighting chance.
Michelle Payne’s Prince of Penzance was meant to be a no hoper at $101. He won.
Knight’s Choice was first past the finish line last year at $91 after being nobody’s choice among tipsters. He was ridden by popular Irishman, Robbie Dolan… who has the reins for Royal Supremacy today. Dolan once contested The Voice Australia while wearing a jockey-style flat cap. He used to be known as a singer who did a bit of horse racing.
“Now I have a platform of Melbourne Cup-winning jockey and singer.” He said on the weekend.
Maher’s Middle Earth is paying $41 and will be ridden by Ethan Brown, whose fiancee, Celine Gaudray, is riding Torranzino ($34). Smokin’ Romans is at $61 and will be ridden by Ben Melham, whose wife, Jamie Melham, is piloting the favourite in Half Yours ($7.50).
Royal Supremacy ($26) had rotten luck in the barrier draw and will start out near the car park in box 21, but he’s favourably handicapped at 51kg and Ireland’s Nolan is coming off last year’s unlikely, unforgettable Cup win.
Royal Supremacy and Dolan booked their slot for the best Tuesday in November by taking out The Metropolitan at Sydney’s Royal Randwick last month.
“He just gets better with each run,” Maher said of the pick of his own yard.
*All odds in this article were obtained by the TAB’s fixed odds to win prior to publication and are subject to change. If you have a problem with gambling, for free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
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