Ciaron Maher is set to boost his Melbourne Cup hand this weekend, saddling up two contrasting runners in the ballot-free Archer Stakes (2500m) at Flemington.
The leading trainer confirmed six-year-old New Zealand-bred Jennivamoose and the European import Sayedaty Sadaty will take their places in Saturday’s feature, both chasing a golden ticket into the $10 million Melbourne Cup.
Sayedaty Sadaty has been patiently managed towards this race and Maher believes the gelding is primed for the step back up in trip. “I reckon he should be pretty spot on for it,” Maher said. “He was good here the other day. They went a bit quick. I’ve waited for this race.” The former UK galloper ran fifth in the 2024 G1 Epsom Derby (2414m) behind star colt City Of Troy.
For Jennivamoose, who was secured by owner Tony Ottobre for NZ$110,000 at Karaka, the Archer represents a significant rise in class but Maher feels she deserves her chance after back-to-back dominant wins at The Valley. “Two runs have been obviously very good here, but she seems very genuine and building through the line,” he said. “She’s got confidence… it is a bit of a step-up for her, but she is a horse full of confidence and she won’t get too much weight I don’t think.”
Maher also provided an update on Gilded Water, raced by King Charles III, who will head to a Benchmark 84 over 2000m at Caulfield on September 20 in an attempt to sneak into the Cup field. “He probably won’t get into the Caulfield Cup and the aim has always been to try and sneak him in (to the Melbourne Cup),” Maher explained. “He is one of those horses – I think we got High Emocean in late, as did Floating Artist.”
Betting markets for the Archer Stakes and early Melbourne Cup futures are open now with Australia’s leading betting sites.
