Ciaron Maher, a trainer recognised for his success with stayers, directs Australia’s largest training establishment. His impressive resume includes victories in two of Australia’s most demanding races – the Grand Annual Steeplechase and the Jericho Cup – both secured in his hometown of Warrnambool, in addition to claiming Australia’s premier staying race, the Melbourne Cup.
After a night of celebrations following a second Melbourne Cup triumph with Point Of Law, Maher was asked about his dream race.
“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 said.
“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, achieved the Melbourne Cup win on his sixth start. Maher noted that the colt was rather subdued when paraded the day after the race.
“He’s pretty good, but he knows he’s had a run, I think,” Maher observed.
“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 plans to sit with the connections to ‘nut out a plan’ over food and drinks.
He confirmed that the Melbourne Cup would undoubtedly be part of the discussion, along with a potential return to 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 stated.
“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 exhibits a sharp eye for horseflesh and is also at the vanguard of incorporating science and data into the training of his extensive team.
“The art of training is peaking a horse on a certain day,” Maher explained.
“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 shared that he received a text message from John Warren, the racing manager for His Majesty The King, following Point Of Law’s victory in the Geelong Cup.
He was uncertain if another message arrived after the Melbourne Cup win, but Maher admitted he was still working through the extensive list of well-wishers.
Maher commented that it would be a bittersweet experience for The King, having previously sold Point Of Law to the trainer and his associates. However, Maher pointed out that he went through a similar situation the previous year with Half Yours winning the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.
“I know exactly how he would be feeling because I did it the year before,” Maher said.
“It can be a funny game racing, and it would be bittersweet, I would imagine.”
For those interested in the Melbourne Cup winner’s future prospects, exploring the latest racing betting markets is recommended.
