Earlier this week we ran a story on the Chris Waller trained entries for this year’s Melbourne Cup and today we’re taking a look at the trainer with the next biggest number of contenders and that is Ciaron Maher with 13.
Among them are Okita Soushi, who was third in last year’s Melbourne Cup for the stable and fourth in that race for Godolphin was Zardozi, who is now in the care of Maher.
We’ve seen all of the Maher entries race here so far with the exception of Augustus (Ger), who placed in the Group I German Derby last year and has run well in all three starts this year with his most recent outing a win in a G2 race over 2400m in Germany in July.
Acquired after that run by Australian Bloodstock, Augustus is proven on good and heavy tracks, but is yet to be tried past 2400m, but he’s German bred and that’s usually more than enough stamina for an Aussie staying race.
A half-brother to Group I ATC Sydney Cup winner Circle of Fire, Gilded Water (GB) might be by Fastnet Rock, but he’s an import bred on the same magic cross that produced Via Sistina (IRE) and Buckaroo (GB) being from a daughter of Galileo.
Bred by the late Queen Elizabeth II and raced by The King, he’s lightly raced and will need to win his way in given he’s yet to contest a stakes race.
A half-brother to Buckaroo from the one and only crop of European Horse of the Year Roaring Lion, Middle Earth might be the best chance of all of the Maher contenders as a Group and Listed winner in the UK last year up to 2800m.
His runs in Australia have been good in top company and he got a pass mark carrying 62kg first up over 2000m last Saturday at Caulfield to run fifth, so I want to be following Middle Earth closely wherever he goes next.
Below are all the Ciaron Maher trained entries and just one is foaled in Australia which is the Godolphin homebred Zardozi, who is essentially a Euro bred having been conceived in the NH by champion sire Kingman from Chanderi (GB), a daughter of champion sire Dubawi.
|
Horse |
Sex |
Age |
Sire |
|
|
AUGUSTUS (GER) |
G |
5 |
Soldier Hollow |
|
|
GILDED WATER (GB) |
G |
5 |
Fastnet Rock |
|
|
GO DADDY (IRE) |
G |
5 |
Smooth Daddy |
|
|
INTERPRETATION (IRE) |
G |
8 |
Galileo |
|
|
JENNIVAMOOSE (NZ) |
M |
6 |
Vadamos (Fr) |
|
|
JUJA KIBO (IRE) |
G |
5 |
Belardo |
|
|
KINGS VALLEY (IRE) |
G |
5 |
Territories |
|
|
MIDDLE EARTH (GB) |
G |
6 |
Roaring Lion |
|
|
OKITA SOUSHI (IRE) |
H |
8 |
Galileo |
|
|
ROYAL SUPREMACY (IRE) |
G |
5 |
Make Believe |
|
|
SAYEDATY SADATY (IRE) |
G |
5 |
Anodin |
|
|
SMOKIN' ROMANS (NZ) |
G |
9 |
Ghibellines |
|
|
ZARDOZI |
M |
5 |
Kingman |
|
See the full list of 120 Melbourne Cup nominations below:
|
Horse |
Sex |
Age |
Trainer |
|
|
1 |
ABSURDE (FR) |
G |
8 |
Willie Mullins |
|
2 |
ADELAIDE RIVER (IRE) |
G |
6 |
Kris Lees |
|
3 |
AELIANA (NZ) |
M |
4 |
Chris Waller |
|
4 |
AFTERMATH (IRE) |
H |
4 |
Aidan O'Brien |
|
5 |
AGE OF SAIL (GB) |
G |
7 |
Kris Lees |
|
6 |
AL RIFFA (FR) |
H |
6 |
Joseph O'Brien |
|
7 |
ALALCANCE (GB) |
M |
6 |
Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
|
8 |
ANISETTE (GB) |
M |
6 |
Chris Waller |
|
9 |
ANTRIM COAST (NZ) |
G |
5 |
Steve Richards |
|
10 |
ARAPAHO (FR) |
G |
9 |
Bjorn Baker |
|
11 |
ASTERIX (NZ) |
G |
7 |
Chris Waller |
|
12 |
ATHABASCAN (FR) |
G |
7 |
John O'Shea & Tom Charlton |
|
13 |
AUGUSTUS (GER) |
G |
5 |
Ciaron Maher |
|
14 |
BASILINNA (NZ) |
M |
5 |
Emma-Lee & David Browne |
|
15 |
BELLE DETELLE |
M |
4 |
Chris Waller |
|
16 |
BELVEDERE BOYS |
G |
6 |
Matthew Dunn |
|
17 |
BIRDMAN (IRE) |
G |
5 |
Chris Waller |
|
18 |
BRAYDEN STAR (GB) |
G |
7 |
Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young |
|
19 |
BUCKAROO (GB) |
G |
7 |
Chris Waller |
|
20 |
BUR DUBAI (GB) |
G |
5 |
Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) |
|
21 |
CHANGINGOFTHEGUARD (IRE) |
G |
7 |
Kris Lees |
|
22 |
CHEVALIER ROSE (JPN) |
H |
8 |
Hisashi Shimizu |
|
23 |
CHIEF LITTLE ROCK (IRE) |
G |
5 |
Anthony & Sam Freedman |
|
24 |
CLEVELAND (IRE) |
G |
8 |
Kris Lees |
|
25 |
COUNTRY'S LIGHT |
G |
7 |
Tetyana Furdetska |
|
26 |
DEAKIN (FR) |
G |
6 |
Phillip Stokes |
|
27 |
DISTRUSTFUL AWARD |
G |
6 |
Peter Luttrell |
|
28 |
DON DIEGO DE VEGA (FR) |
G |
6 |
Annabel & Rob Archibald |
|
29 |
DURAJI (IRE) |
H |
5 |
Dermot K Weld |
|
30 |
ENCODER |
G |
5 |
Michael Freedman |
|
31 |
EPIC POET (IRE) |
G |
7 |
David O'Meara |
|
32 |
ETNA ROSSO (IRE) |
G |
6 |
Chris Waller |
|
33 |
EUPHORIC |
G |
6 |
Greg Eurell |
|
34 |
FEMMINILE |
M |
4 |
Chris Waller |
|
35 |
FERNAO (IRE) |
G |
7 |
Annabel & Rob Archibald |
|
36 |
FIRST IMMORTAL |
G |
6 |
Mark & Levi Kavanagh |
|
37 |
FLATTEN THE CURVE (FR) |
G |
7 |
Henk Grewe |
|
38 |
FLYING BANDIT |
G |
5 |
Kerry Parker |
|
39 |
FULL COUNT FELICIA (USA) |
M |
7 |
Chris Waller |
|
40 |
FURTHUR (IRE) |
H |
4 |
Andrew Balding |
|
41 |
GILDED WATER (GB) |
G |
5 |
Ciaron Maher |
|
42 |
GO DADDY (IRE) |
G |
5 |
Ciaron Maher |
|
43 |
GOLDEN CENTURY (NZ) |
G |
4 |
Chris Waller |
|
44 |
GOLDEN PATH (NZ) |
G |
6 |
Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) |
|
45 |
GOLDEN SNAP (JPN) |
M |
6 |
Katsunori Tanaka |
|
46 |
GOOD BANTER (NZ) |
M |
5 |
John O'Shea & Tom Charlton |
|
47 |
GOODIE TWO SHOES (IRE) |
M |
7 |
Joseph O'Brien |
|
48 |
GRAND PIERRO |
G |
6 |
Jason Warren |
|
49 |
HALF YOURS |
G |
5 |
Tony & Calvin McEvoy |
|
50 |
HARBOUR WIND (IRE) |
G |
6 |
Dermot K Weld |
|
51 |
HIPOP DE LOIRE (FR) |
G |
9 |
Willie Mullins |
|
52 |
HUTCHENCE (GB) |
G |
5 |
Chris Waller |
|
53 |
INTERPRETATION (IRE) |
G |
8 |
Ciaron Maher |
|
54 |
JENNIVAMOOSE (NZ) |
M |
6 |
Ciaron Maher |
|
55 |
JUJA KIBO (IRE) |
G |
5 |
Ciaron Maher |
|
56 |
KADAVAR (NZ) |
G |
5 |
Chris Waller |
|
57 |
KINESIOLOGY (GB) |
G |
5 |
Chris Waller |
|
58 |
KINGS VALLEY (IRE) |
G |
5 |
Ciaron Maher |
|
59 |
KNIGHT'S CHOICE |
G |
6 |
John Symons & Sheila Laxon |
|
60 |
KOVALICA (NZ) |
G |
6 |
Chris Waller |
|
61 |
LA CRIQUE (NZ) |
M |
7 |
Simon Alexander |
|
62 |
LAND LEGEND (FR) |
G |
6 |
Chris Waller |
|
63 |
LASPIRIT DEELER |
M |
5 |
Lee & Cherie Curtis |
|
64 |
LASTOTCHKA (FR) |
M |
7 |
Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) |
|
65 |
LEICA LUCY (NZ) |
M |
4 |
Chris Waller |
|
66 |
LITZDEEL |
M |
4 |
Danny O'Brien |
|
67 |
MARK TWAIN (NZ) |
G |
6 |
Roger James & Robert Wellwood |
|
68 |
MEYDAAN (IRE) |
H |
5 |
Simon Crisford |
|
69 |
MIDDLE EARTH (GB) |
G |
6 |
Ciaron Maher |
|
70 |
MILITARIZE (NZ) |
G |
5 |
Chris Waller |
|
71 |
MISTER WOLFGANG (NZ) |
G |
7 |
Peter McKay |
|
72 |
MOIRA (CAN) |
M |
7 |
Chris Waller |
|
73 |
MORE FELONS (IRE) |
G |
7 |
Chris Waller |
|
74 |
MORMONA (FR) |
G |
7 |
Annabel & Rob Archibald |
|
75 |
MOUNT KILIMANJARO (FR) |
H |
4 |
Aidan O'Brien |
|
76 |
MUKTAMIL (IRE) |
G |
6 |
Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young |
|
77 |
NAVAL COLLEGE (GB) |
G |
7 |
Annabel & Rob Archibald |
|
78 |
NEWLOOK (FR) |
G |
5 |
Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young |
|
79 |
NIKAU SPUR (NZ) |
G |
9 |
Corey & Kylie Geran |
|
80 |
NO RUMOURS |
G |
5 |
Paul Preusker |
|
81 |
OKITA SOUSHI (IRE) |
H |
8 |
Ciaron Maher |
|
82 |
ONESMOOTHOPERATOR (USA) |
G |
8 |
Brian Ellison |
|
83 |
OUR ANCHORAGE (IRE) |
G |
7 |
Bjorn Baker |
|
84 |
OUR GOLD HOPE |
M |
5 |
Robert & Luke Price |
|
85 |
PARCHMENT PARTY (USA) |
H |
5 |
William Mott |
|
86 |
POINT KING (IRE) |
G |
7 |
Anthony & Sam Freedman |
|
87 |
POST IMPRESSIONIST (IRE) |
G |
7 |
Anthony & Sam Freedman |
|
88 |
PRESAGE NOCTURNE (IRE) |
H |
6 |
Alessandro Botti |
|
89 |
QUIETNESS (GB) |
M |
6 |
John O'Shea & Tom Charlton |
|
90 |
REAL CLASS (NZ) |
M |
4 |
Chris Waller |
|
91 |
RED ACES |
G |
4 |
Nick Ryan |
|
92 |
REVELARE |
G |
5 |
Robert Hickmott |
|
93 |
RIVER OF STARS (IRE) |
M |
7 |
Chris Waller |
|
94 |
ROYAL SUPREMACY (IRE) |
G |
5 |
Ciaron Maher |
|
95 |
SAV ON ICE |
H |
4 |
Darryl Carrison |
|
96 |
SAYEDATY SADATY (IRE) |
G |
5 |
Ciaron Maher |
|
97 |
SCANDINAVIA (USA) |
H |
4 |
Aidan O'Brien |
|
98 |
SCARY (NZ) |
H |
4 |
Emma-Lee & David Browne |
|
99 |
SHARP 'N' SMART (NZ) |
G |
6 |
Graeme Rogerson |
|
100 |
SIR DELIUS (GB) |
H |
5 |
Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
|
101 |
SMOKIN' ROMANS (NZ) |
G |
9 |
Ciaron Maher |
|
102 |
SO YOU ARE |
G |
4 |
Stirling Osland |
|
103 |
STAR OF INDIA (IRE) |
G |
7 |
Chris Waller |
|
104 |
STAR VEGA (IRE) |
G |
6 |
Anthony & Sam Freedman |
|
105 |
STATUARIO |
G |
4 |
Emma-Lee & David Browne |
|
106 |
SWELTERING |
M |
4 |
Chris Waller |
|
107 |
TABLETALK (IRE) |
H |
5 |
Tom Clover |
|
108 |
TAJANIS (IRE) |
G |
6 |
Chris Waller |
|
109 |
TAPILDOODLEDO (NZ) |
G |
6 |
Kerry Taplin |
|
110 |
THE MAP |
M |
7 |
Dan Clarken & Oopy MacGillivray |
|
111 |
THEDOCTOROFLOVE |
G |
4 |
Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young |
|
112 |
TORRANZINO (NZ) |
G |
6 |
Paul Preusker |
|
113 |
TRAV (NZ) |
G |
6 |
Raymond Connors |
|
114 |
TREASURETHE MOMENT |
M |
4 |
Matt Laurie |
|
115 |
TRINITY COLLEGE (IRE) |
H |
4 |
Chris Waller |
|
116 |
VALIANT KING (GB) |
G |
6 |
Chris Waller |
|
117 |
VAUBAN (FR) |
G |
8 |
Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
|
118 |
VIA SISTINA (IRE) |
M |
8 |
Chris Waller |
|
119 |
WHISKY ON THE HILL (GB) |
G |
6 |
Glen Thompson |
|
120 |
ZARDOZI |
M |
5 |
Ciaron Maher |
