Ciaron Maher concedes a wide gate has added complexity, but the champion trainer is warming to Royal Supremacy’s prospects in the Melbourne Cup.
Drawn 21 of 24 on Saturday evening for Tuesday’s Cup, Maher told Racing.com’s The Verdict that the alley will require some early restraint, yet he feels the horse is peaking and ready to compete at the highest level.
“He’s a horse that has an endless amount of energy,” Maher said on Sunday morning.
“He pulled quite hard in the Metropolitan and he pulled very hard in the Caulfield Cup and he’s a horse right at the top of his game.
“He worked earlier in the week and again this morning and he’ll probably do a bit on Cup morning.
“He’s got a really low weight (51kgs). Robbie (Dolan, his jockey) knows what he’s doing and if the rain does come, he can tick that box as well.”
Maher acknowledged the draw limits early options in the two-mile classic. “You’ve got to get the first half right in a two-mile race, so we’ll sit down and nut out a plan, or as much of a plan you can, but I’d say you wouldn’t light him up too much, so he’ll probably have to take his medicine early.”
Assessing his broader team for Tuesday, Maher is content with the trio of Royal Supremacy ($34), Middle Earth ($34) and Smokin’ Romans ($101). “They all went down the beach this morning (Sunday) and they are all tracking pretty well for Tuesday.”
