Beyond Ciaron Maher’s historic trifecta, the horse that secured his second Melbourne Cup triumph also etched its name in the record books.
Point Of Law has been crowned the most lightly-raced winner of the modern Melbourne Cup, achieving this distinction in just his sixth start at Flemington in the $10 million Group 1 feature.
While Martini-Henry, winner of the 1883 Melbourne Cup at his second start, holds the record for the least experienced winner in the race’s 166-year history, no horse with fewer starts than Point Of Law has claimed victory since the race was internationalised in 1993.
Tiger Moth remains the only other horse to have contested the 3200-metre race with fewer starts, finishing second on his fifth appearance in 2020.
Maher, who had seven runners in the Melbourne Cup, indicated that Point Of Law has truly settled into life in Australia and anticipates that this Melbourne Cup win might be the first of many major successes.
“Point Of Law has just thrived,” Maher said.
“I think the world’s his oyster, really. He’s obviously very talented, he’s won that very well and he’s a European three-year-old still.
“I think he’s got a bright future, a big engine and should be a lot of fun.”
Point Of Law’s Melbourne Cup victory occurred 206 days after his debut under His Majesty The King’s royal colours, a 2011-metre 3YO novice contest at Yarmouth in Great Britain, where he secured second place.
His next start saw him win a three-year-old maiden over the same distance at Newbury on May 15, followed by a fourth-place finish in the Group 2 Queen’s Vase (2846m) at Royal Ascot in June.
The son of Frankel, from the Deep Impact mare Portfolio, had one further start in the UK, winning the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy (2615m) at Newmarket on July 9, before being purchased by Maher for stable clients.
He was unable to gain a start in the Caulfield Cup, for which he was the third emergency, and made his Australian debut in the Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m), winning it impressively from Small Fry.
Point Of Law joins Media Puzzle (2002), Americain (2010), and Dunaden (2011) as horses to have completed the Geelong Cup/Melbourne Cup double this century and became the first favourite to win the Melbourne Cup since Fiorente in 2013.
The $7 top selection triumphed by 3-3/4 lengths over Zahrann ($26), who was a short-half-head in front of Juja Kibo ($14).
Check out the latest racing odds available on various online bookmakers for the Melbourne Cup.