The Ciaron Maher stable are looking to turn back the clock with Smokin’ Romans in the Pakenham Cup.
The now nine-year-old is one of three runners the Maher stable will saddle in Saturday’s 2500m Listed race feature.
Smokin’ Romans burst onto the scene winning the 2021 Pakenham Cup following three wins during that winter and two second placings in the lead-up, including a narrow defeat in the Bendigo Cup (2400m).
The following spring saw Smokin’ Romans claim the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington and then start favourite in the Caulfield Cup before contesting the Melbourne Cup, both times finishing seventh.
Smokin’ Romans has been a constant in recent years and won the Warrnambool Cup in May.
There has been glimpses of his best form, but Maher’s National Assistant Trainer Jack Turnbull said the gelding had not been able to get races run to suit.
“Smokey has been pretty frustrating,” Turnbull said.
“His last couple of runs haven’t worked out as to how we would have liked.
“He’s a free rolling horse that you have to pinch breaks with when you can, and he hasn’t quite had that, both with barrier and the horse himself.
“We haven’t done much with him and the idea is to try and rejuvenate him, where he can step, free roll and hopefully the class of horse is less again.
“This was the race that set him up a while ago and this is a nice time of year for him and if he brings his best, he will be there for a long way.”
Joining Smokin’ Romans on Saturday will be Strawberry Rock and up-and-coming stayer Ziryab.
Strawberry Rock has been building fitness this campaign, and two starts back finished sixth in the Bendigo Cup before a last start ninth on a wet Flemington track during Melbourne Cup week.
“It was too wet for him last time and then we took him out of the Zipping because of a bad blood, but it was only one day, and he seems bright and well now,” Turnbull said.
“He had a tick over jump-out and hopefully the track is better and for him.
“He needs ground and everything to go his way, but it’s getting the miles in the legs.”
Ziryab is the third of Maher’s runners with the stable electing the Pakenham Cup rather than lumping a big weight in a benchmark 78 grade race over the same trip.
Turnbull said Ziryab would benefit from his latest effort at Caulfield over 2400m when narrowly beaten over 2400m.
“He needed plenty of riding and that was his first run at the trip this time in, so he’ll improve plenty from it,” Turnbull said.
“There’s no doubt the trip is what he’s looking for.
“We could look at the Bagot Handicap on New Year’s Eve with him as he stays well and he will have the runs under him.”