Smokin’ Romans may be in the twilight of his career, but trainer Ciaron Maher is encouraged by his latest efforts and has decided to give the gelding another tilt at Group 1 level.
The nine-year-old will contest the Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on Saturday, lining up alongside stablemates Zardozi and Middle Earth.
Back in 2022, Smokin’ Romans won the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) before scoring in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington, which set him up for the Cups campaign that spring.
He started favourite when seventh in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and later filled the same position behind Gold Trip in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).
This season he has been weighted with 55.5kg in the Caulfield Cup and 53.5kg in the Melbourne Cup, with Maher confirming the gelding is being prepared for another crack at the Caulfield feature.
Smokin’ Romans has been a highly consistent earner with 11 wins from 50 appearances and close to $2.4 million in prizemoney.
His latest outing saw him collared late by Revelare over 2000m at Caulfield on August 30, with that rival going on to land the Group 3 Archer Stakes (2500m) at Flemington and secure a Cup spot.
“He’s in a really good spot, Smokey,” Maher said.
“His form is good, and he carried a lot more weight than Revelare last time and Revelare has franked that form.
“He’s tracking along well, and I thought we could go back to the 1800 metres and he’s on track for the Caulfield Cup as well.”
Middle Earth, who made his Australian return with a strong run behind Revelare, is another Cups contender for the Maher stable. He has been given 56.5kg in the Caulfield Cup and 54.5kg in the Melbourne Cup.
“He’s ticking along the right way,” Maher said.
“He hit the line well first-up and he’ll strip fitter, but the 1800 metres is probably short of his best.”
Maher also has Zardozi, a Godolphin mare formerly trained by James Cummings, who ran a closing fifth in the So You Think Stakes (1500m) at Moonee Valley on September 6.
“She’s come through her first-up run really well,” Maher said.
“She’s a clean-winded mare that hit the line nicely first-up. She’s coming along nicely and seems in a good spot for Saturday’s race.”
Punters can find the latest odds for the Underwood Stakes through Australia’s leading betting sites.
