The Ciaron Maher team is hoping to recapture past glory with Smokin’ Romans in the Pakenham Cup.

The nine-year-old is one of three runners the stable will produce for Saturday’s 2500m Listed feature.

Smokin’ Romans announced himself by winning the 2021 Pakenham Cup after a strong winter campaign, which included a narrow defeat in the Bendigo Cup.

He went on to claim the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes and started favourite in the Caulfield Cup, before finishing seventh in both that race and the Melbourne Cup.

Jack Turnbull, Maher’s National Assistant Trainer, said Smokin’ Romans has shown glimpses of his best but hasn’t had 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.”

Turnbull said the aim is to rejuvenate the gelding in a race that previously launched him.

Joining him are Strawberry Rock, who prefers firmer footing, and emerging stayer Ziryab, who heads here instead of carrying a big weight in benchmark grade.

Turnbull said Ziryab will improve sharply from his recent Caulfield run and may head towards the Bagot Handicap next.