Ciaron Maher is confident that this year’s Australian Cup presents the strongest team he’s ever had for the race, but he and his stable remain cautious as they prepare for the $2.5 million Group 1 at Flemington this Saturday.
Pride Of Jenni, Middle Earth, and Light Infantry Man are currently the top three in betting for the 2000-metre weight-for-age event, which attracted 14 nominations as of Monday. Although Maher has yet to secure a victory in the Australian Cup, he has come close with second-place finishes from Pride Of Jenni last year and Jameka in 2017. Assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said the horses are in great shape but emphasized that it’s still early in their preparations.
“We’ve got the top three in the market, which isn’t always the case, but it’s good to see,” Turnbull said. “These aren’t their grand finals yet, so if they were able to win and then head to Sydney, it would be fantastic for both the horses and the stable.”
Pride Of Jenni is the current favorite following a dominant first-up win in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m). This preparation is different from last year’s, when she finished second to Cascadian in the Australian Cup after winning the All-Star Mile. Turnbull is pleased with how the seven-year-old mare has adapted to a lighter preparation.
“She had a strong base put into her at Tony’s (Ottobre, owner) and then we did the latter part of her prep at Cranbourne. We noticed she was more forward than we expected,” Turnbull said. “That gave us the confidence to go from one solid jumpout straight into the 1800m race. With a small field and less pressure, she didn’t face much competition, and it worked out well. We’re all systems go.”
Middle Earth will be making his second Southern Hemisphere start in the Australian Cup. The accomplished European import was purchased last year to be a Cups contender, though he didn’t race until March 8 in the Australian Cup Prelude (2000m), which he won.
“He’s got solid form in Europe and is one of those higher-class horses who could surprise here,” Turnbull said. “We know he can handle more than 2000m, but we thought we’d give him a go at the Australian Cup while he’s still fresh early in his preparation.”
Light Infantry Man, who finished third in the All-Star Mile, is another import who is beginning to show the potential he displayed overseas. Turnbull is excited to see him race over 2000m in the Australian Cup.
“If you had asked us 12 months ago if he’d run third in the All-Star Mile, we probably would have said no,” Turnbull said. “But since his run in Perth and his last prep, after winning the Northerly (Stakes), he’s kept improving physically and mentally, and that’s been clear on race day.”
