Ciaron Maher cemented his status as Australia’s premier racehorse trainer by delivering a stunning performance in the Lexus Melbourne Cup, with Point Of Law emerging as the decisive winner at Flemington. The son of Frankel showcased a deadly turn of foot to secure victory, extending Maher’s remarkable recent record in major Group 1 races. The win was particularly significant for the stable, which dominated the race, with stablemates Zahrann and Juja Kibo filling the remaining top three positions.
Key Match Highlights & Tactical Analysis
Point Of Law’s journey to Melbourne Cup glory has been marked by a strategic career move from the UK to Australia. Previously owned by the King and Queen and trained by John and Thady Gosden, the horse had shown promise in Britain, finishing fourth in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot and winning Newmarket’s Bahrain Trophy. After being privately purchased to continue his career in Australia, he quickly adapted, winning the Geelong Cup on his first outing for his new connections before targeting the race that stops the nation.
The race dynamics were defined by a strong pace set by stablemate Royal Supremacy, who led the field before fading to fifth place. This tactical setup allowed Point Of Law to conserve energy before unleashing a powerful finishing kick. Maher, who also trained the fifth and sixth finishers, acknowledged the execution required for such a dominant display. “I knew I had my best hand going into it, but it’s got to execute,” Maher told Channel Nine, praising the horse’s ability to thrive in a true staying test.
Source: Sky Sports
