Maher lands first Warrnambool Cup

Smokin’ Romans has provided Ciaron Maher with his first Warrnambool Cup success.

SMOKIN' ROMANS winning the Sungold Milk Warrnambool Cup at Warrnambool in Australia. Picture: Racing Photos

Trainer Ciaron Maher has finally added a flat feature race at the Warrnambool Carnival to his record with Smokin' Romans taking out the Listed Warrnambool Cup.

Maher, along with his association with former training partner David Eustace, had previously collected 16 feature victories, all over the jumps.

Prior to this year's Carnival, Maher's victories had come via seven Grand Annual Steeplechase wins, five in the Brierly Steeplechase and four in the Galleywood Hurdle, but he was winless in the features on the flat, the Warrnambool Cup (2350m) and the Wangoom Handicap (1200m).

Now it is only the Wangoom Handicap that Maher needs to complete the set after Smokin' Romans ($9) under Ben Melham led throughout to score narrowly from Torranzino ($12) in the Warrnambool Cup on Thursday.

Maher, who was born and raised in the Warrnambool area, thought he had a strong hand in Thursday's Listed race with three contenders which was led by Group 1 winner Smokin' Romans while he also supplied third-placed Ziryab and Strawberry Rock that wound up in fifth position.

"I thought we had a pretty good chance here today. I'm absolutely rapt," Maher told racing.com.

"He's been such a great horse. To win a Group 1 and then carry a topweight like that.

"What a fantastic ride from Ben. He understands this horse really well."

While Maher was recording his maiden Warrnambool Cup victory, it was the second success for Melham who scored in 2010 aboard Hissing Sid.

Melham made full use of Smokin' Romans inside draw and never left the rail.

"The track has had a lot of traffic, and I thought I would stay hard on the rail," Melham said.

"I wanted to lead on him because of the big weight, and I didn't want to be stop-starting on him.

"He had to do a bit of work going out of the straight and it was only the weight (59kg) late that brought him back over the line.

"He is a Group 1 winner, who has a bit of class, but he can mix his form a little bit, but he does seem to go well for me."

Melham led throughout on Smokin' Romans when the pair won the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) during the Melbourne Cup Carnival before running second on the stayer in the Group 2 Sandown Classic (2400m) at Caulfield.

15:55

Sungold Milk Warrnambool Cup (LR)

WT: 54.0kg Type: OPEN

AUD $303,500

2350m TURF SOFT

15:55
(local)

AUD $303,500

2350m SOFT

Sungold Milk Warrnambool Cup (LR)

WT: 54.0kg Type: OPEN

Silk

Horse, Age & Sex
Sire & Dam

Jockey
Trainer

SP
WT

1st

1. SMOKIN' ROMANS (NZ) 8yo G
GHIBELLINES (AUS) - INFERNO (NZ)

BEN MELHAM
CIARON MAHER

$9
59kg

A C Downing, S H Prenter, J N Ashby, Troyantish, N McFarlane, B P Kelly, T J Kelly, C Wattam, P Thomson, D R Frampton, M J Clements & H M Brown

Sales Information
\| NZB \| 2018 Karaka National Yearling Sale - Book 1 (273) \| White Robe Lodge \| Darren Weir Racing \| NZD $ 52,500		2018 Karaka National Yearling Sale - Book 1 (273)	White Robe Lodge	Darren Weir Racing	NZD $ 52,500

2nd

4. TORRANZINO (NZ) 5yo G
TARZINO (NZ) - GOLDILICIOUS (NZ)

CELINE GAUDRAY
PAUL PREUSKER

$12
56kg

P Preusker, B Tucker, J Burke, A Clayton, D Drum, I-Race (Mgr: D Wockner), P Johnson, H Lee, L Follett, J MacLeod, N Okely, K Peach, SCT Syn (Mgr: T Blakley), M Tobin, G Tucker, T Burdett, R Coventry, L A Gane, Grey Geese (Mgr: G Mcqueen) & A Newall

Sales Information
\| NZB \| 2021 Karaka National Yearling Sale - Book 1 (423) \| Phoenix Park \| Mr Pa Preusker \| NZD $ 75,000		2021 Karaka National Yearling Sale - Book 1 (423)	Phoenix Park	Mr Pa Preusker	NZD $ 75,000

3rd

13. ZIRYAB (GB) 5yo G
KINGMAN (GB) - REEM (AUS)

TEO NUGENT
CIARON MAHER

$4.6
54kg

P Trainor, R W Gamble, Mrs S J Gamble, M J Burns, B S David, Miss S T Flannery, Coco's Crew, Four Point Racing, Northside Crew & P Van Der Meer

Sales Information
\| Inglis \| 2025 APRIL (Late) Online Sale (214) \| P Van Der Meer \| AUD $ 27,500	2025 APRIL (Late) Online Sale (214)		P Van Der Meer	AUD $ 27,500
\| Inglis \| 2025 APRIL (Late) Online Sale (215) \| N Amoddio \| AUD $ 17,000	2025 APRIL (Late) Online Sale (215)		N Amoddio	AUD $ 17,000
\| Inglis \| 2025 APRIL (Late) Online Sale (216) \| CC Racing \| AUD $ 55,000	2025 APRIL (Late) Online Sale (216)		CC Racing	AUD $ 55,000
\| Inglis \| 2025 APRIL (Late) Online Sale (217) \| 4 Point Racing \| AUD $ 30,000	2025 APRIL (Late) Online Sale (217)		4 Point Racing	AUD $ 30,000
\| Tattersalls \| 2023 Autumn Horses In Training Sale (1067) \| Juddmonte \| Peter Trainor / Ciaron Maher Racing \| GNS 240,000	2023 Autumn Horses In Training Sale (1067)	Juddmonte	Peter Trainor / Ciaron Maher Racing	GNS 240,000
\| Tattersalls \| 2021 October Yearling Sale Book 2 (895) \| Hazelwood Bloodstock \| Juddmonte Farms \| GNS 525,000	2021 October Yearling Sale Book 2 (895)	Hazelwood Bloodstock	Juddmonte Farms	GNS 525,000

4th

15. FERAGO (AUS) 8yo G
FIORENTE (IRE) - VODISSA (AUS)

CRAIG NEWITT
PATRICK F RYAN JNR

$17
54kg

Sales Information
\| Inglis \| 2021 SEPTEMBER (Early) Online Sale (32) \| Joseph Pace \| AUD $ 5,500		2021 SEPTEMBER (Early) Online Sale (32)			AUD $ 5,500
\| Inglis \| 2018 Melbourne Vobis Gold Yearling Sale (234) \| Sun Stud, Kerrie \| J Fraser \| AUD $ 41,000		2018 Melbourne Vobis Gold Yearling Sale (234)	Sun Stud, Kerrie	J Fraser	AUD $ 41,000

5th

10. TRUE MARVEL (FR) 9yo G
MASKED MARVEL (GB) - ANECDOTIQUE (FR)

DEAN YENDALL
MATTHEW SMITH

$26
54kg

6th

5. STRAWBERRY ROCK (IRE) 8yo G
ROCK OF GIBRALTAR (IRE) - STRAWBERRY VODKA (GB)

JAMIE MELHAM
CIARON MAHER

$8.5
55.5kg

Sales Information
\| Tattersalls \| 2021 Autumn Horses In Training Sale (737) \| Avenue Sales \| Cunningham Thoughbreds / Ciaron Maher / Lynch Clarke \| GNS 185,000	2021 Autumn Horses In Training Sale (737)	Avenue Sales	Cunningham Thoughbreds / Ciaron Maher / Lynch Clarke	GNS 185,000
\| Tattersalls \| 2020 Autumn Horses In Training Sale (232) \| The Castlebridge Consignment \| WITHDRAWN	2020 Autumn Horses In Training Sale (232)	The Castlebridge Consignment		Withdrawn
\| Tattersalls.ie \| 2018 September Yearling Sale (148) \| The Castlebridge Consignment \| Hugo Palmer \| EUR € 32,000	2018 September Yearling Sale (148)	The Castlebridge Consignment	Hugo Palmer	EUR € 32,000
\| Tattersalls \| 2017 December Foal Sale (1085) \| Brendan Boyle Bloodstock \| Mcstay Bloodstock \| GNS 13,500	2017 December Foal Sale (1085)	Brendan Boyle Bloodstock	Mcstay Bloodstock	GNS 13,500

7th

2. MILITARY MISSION (IRE) 7yo G
MASTERCRAFTSMAN (IRE) - ATLANTIC ISLE (GER)

JOHN ALLEN
GAI WATERHOUSE & ADRIAN BOTT

$21
57.5kg

Sales Information
\| Inglis \| 2024 NOVEMBER (Early) Online Sale (186) \| Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing \| David Lilley \| AUD $ 3,000	2024 NOVEMBER (Early) Online Sale (186)	Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing	David Lilley		AUD $ 3,000
\| Inglis \| 2024 NOVEMBER (Early) Online Sale (187) \| Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing \| Club Sport Syndications \| AUD $ 3,250	2024 NOVEMBER (Early) Online Sale (187)	Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing	Club Sport Syndications		AUD $ 3,250
\| Inglis \| 2024 NOVEMBER (Early) Online Sale (188) \| Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing \| Maxine \| AUD $ 1,000	2024 NOVEMBER (Early) Online Sale (188)	Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing	Maxine		AUD $ 1,000
\| Inglis \| 2024 NOVEMBER (Early) Online Sale (189) \| Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing \| David Lilley \| AUD $ 800	2024 NOVEMBER (Early) Online Sale (189)	Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing	David Lilley		AUD $ 800
\| Goffs - IRE \| 2021 London Sale (3) \| Kremlin Cottage \| Mckeever Bloodstock/Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott \| EUR € 170,000	2021 London Sale (3)	Kremlin Cottage	Mckeever Bloodstock/Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott		EUR € 170,000
\| Goffs - IRE \| 2019 Orby Sale (150) \| Oaklawn Stud \| Psd. EUR € 45,000 Res. EUR €	2019 Orby Sale (150)	Oaklawn Stud		Psd. EUR € 45,000
\| Tattersalls \| 2018 December Foal Sale (1127) \| Overbury Stud \| Brian Grassick Bloodstock \| GNS 65,000	2018 December Foal Sale (1127)	Overbury Stud	Brian Grassick Bloodstock		GNS 65,000

8th

9. CLAIDHEAMH MOR (AUS) 6yo G
DUNDEEL (NZ) - MEL'S POCKET (AUS)

DECLAN BATES
GEMMA RIELLY

$17
54kg

Sales Information
\| Magic Millions \| 2020 Adelaide Yearling Sale (383) \| Murrulla Stud, Wingen, Nsw (As Agent) \| Psd. AUD $ 55,000 Res. AUD $ 70,000		2020 Adelaide Yearling Sale (383)	Murrulla Stud, Wingen, Nsw (As Agent)		Psd. AUD $ 55,000	Res. AUD $ 70,000
\| Magic Millions \| 2019 Gold Coast National Weanling Sale (316) \| Grandview Peak Crossing Qld (As Agent) \| Jr Tbreds/Bluegrass Bstock P/L (Fbaa) \| AUD $ 85,000		2019 Gold Coast National Weanling Sale (316)	Grandview Peak Crossing Qld (As Agent)	Jr Tbreds/Bluegrass Bstock P/L (Fbaa)		AUD $ 85,000

9th

3. VIRTUOUS CIRCLE (NZ) 5yo G
ALMANZOR (FR) - SHE IS STRYKING (AUS)

JORDAN CHILDS
LIAM HOWLEY

$12
57kg

Sales Information
\| Inglis \| 2021 Classic Yearling Sale (309) \| Wentwood Grange, Cambridge, Nz \| Liam Howley Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock / Bevan Smith Bloodstock \| AUD $ 360,000		2021 Classic Yearling Sale (309)	Wentwood Grange, Cambridge, Nz	Liam Howley Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock / Bevan Smith Bloodstock	AUD $ 360,000

10th

11. MYSTERY ISLAND (JPN) 8yo G
VICTOIRE PISA (JPN) - MYSTIQUE (GER)

HARRY COFFEY
SHANE JACKSON

$5
54kg

11th

8. MISSION OF LOVE (AUS) 5yo M
THE MISSION (AUS) - HANAAN (AUS)

LINDA MEECH
J G SYMONS & S LAXON

$26
54kg

Sales Information
\| Magic Millions \| 2025 Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale (444) \| KBL Thoroughbreds, Beaudesert, Qld (As Agent for Symons Laxon Racing) \| WITHDRAWN		2025 Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale (444)	KBL Thoroughbreds, Beaudesert, Qld (As Agent for Symons Laxon Racing)		Withdrawn
\| Magic Millions \| 2021 Gold Coast March Yearling Sale (163) \| Lyndhurst Stud Farm, Warwick, Qld (As Agent) \| Michael Kirby/John Symons \| AUD $ 120,000		2021 Gold Coast March Yearling Sale (163)	Lyndhurst Stud Farm, Warwick, Qld (As Agent)	Michael Kirby/John Symons	AUD $ 120,000

12th

18. BURLINGTON GATE (AUS) 4yo M
THE AUTUMN SUN (AUS) - RUNWAY READY (AUS)

TOM MADDEN
GLEN THOMPSON

$41
54kg

Sales Information
\| Inglis \| 2022 Premier Yearling Sale (204) \| Silverdale Farm, Avoca, Nsw \| Paul Moroney Bloodstock / M Moroney \| AUD $ 160,000		2022 Premier Yearling Sale (204)	Silverdale Farm, Avoca, Nsw	Paul Moroney Bloodstock / M Moroney	AUD $ 160,000

13th

16. ANY LUCK (NZ) 5yo M
PUCCINI (NZ) - LUCKZAT (NZ)

KATE WALTERS
WAYNE WALTERS

$101
54kg

14th

7. HIT THE ROAD JACK (NZ) 8yo G
JAKKALBERRY (IRE) - ISTISTAR (NZ)

LUKE CURRIE
SYMON WILDE

$26
54kg

Sales Information
\| NZB \| 2017 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale (131) \| Novara Park \| Psd. NZD $ Res. NZD $ 5,000		2017 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale (131)	Novara Park	Psd. NZD $	Res. NZD $ 5,000

15th

14. PRECIOUS CHARM (AUS) 5yo M
PER INCANTO (USA) - HIGHLY VALUED (GB)

HARRY GRACE
SYMON WILDE

$18
54kg

Sales Information
\| NZB \| 2021 Karaka National Yearling Sale - Book 1 (442) \| Beaufort Downs Ltd \| Provisional Sold \| NZD $ 80,000		2021 Karaka National Yearling Sale - Book 1 (442)	Beaufort Downs Ltd	Provisional Sold	NZD $ 80,000

16th

12. SPEYCASTER (GB) 6yo G
HIGHLAND REEL (IRE) - EXAMINEE (GER)

FRED W KERSLEY
CHRIS WALLER

$21
54.5kg

Sales Information
\| Tattersalls \| 2022 Autumn Horses In Training Sale (975) \| Jamie Railton (Agent) \| Go Racing \| GNS 70,000	2022 Autumn Horses In Training Sale (975)	Jamie Railton (Agent)	Go Racing	GNS 70,000
\| Tattersalls \| 2020 October Yearling Sale Book 3 (1445) \| Clearwater Stud \| Jeremy Brummitt \| GNS 32,000	2020 October Yearling Sale Book 3 (1445)	Clearwater Stud	Jeremy Brummitt	GNS 32,000
\| Tattersalls \| 2019 December Foal Sale (794) \| Clearwater Stud \| WITHDRAWN	2019 December Foal Sale (794)	Clearwater Stud		Withdrawn

Maher lands first Warrnambool Cup

Warrnambool

Thursday, 01st May 2025

Sungold Milk Warrnambool Cup (LR)

Sungold Milk Warrnambool Cup (LR)

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