The international contingent appears formidable for Australian trainers following the recent running of the Geelong Cup.
Although Ciaron Maher trains the Group 3 winner Point Of Law from Wednesday, the stayer was prepared in quarantine at Werribee after its arrival last month as part of the initial shipment of spring horses from the UK.
Securing victory in Wednesday’s event grants Point Of Law automatic entry into the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 3.
Ridden by Ethan Brown, Point Of Law, who started at $6, crossed the line a half-length ahead of fellow Werribee quarantine residents Small Fry ($5.50) and Omni Man ($15).
Joseph O’Brien, a trainer with two Melbourne Cup victories to his name, prepares both Small Fry and Omni Man, with both stayers aiming for a ‘Golden Ticket’ into the Cup.
O’Brien currently has nine horses among the 57 remaining contenders for the Melbourne Cup and has Kizlyar competing for a ‘Golden Ticket’ in the Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Point Of Law, who was only having its fifth career start on Wednesday, carries 51kg in the Cup and is eligible for a reassessment of its weight following this win.
The four-year-old son of Frankel was previously owned by His Majesty The King before being acquired by clients of Maher. This Geelong Cup win finally breaks the trainer’s drought in the race, having previously finished second with Gilded Water last year, a horse also owned by His Majesty.
“I’ve run second a number of times, including one of my first good horses Moudre,” Maher stated.
“It’s great to win, but it’s great to win it with such a progressive horse.
“He’s just a good horse. It was a beautiful ride by Brownie and hopefully he pulls up well, because he looks like he’ll run two-mile.”
Maher indicated that Point Of Law requires careful management, but heading to Geelong and achieving a win was a valuable experience for the galloper.
“This is a good insight into how he was going to be,” Maher commented.
“With each passing day, he’s relaxed a little bit more, he’s got used to the routine. He paraded beautifully, so hopefully he pulls up well.
“He doesn’t look like he’s too stressed there and Brownie looks quite happy there as well.
“He’ll have some decisions to make.”
Brown had not previously ridden Point Of Law before the parade to the barriers and sensed the stayer was eager in its preliminary.
“From the gate, it couldn’t have worked out any better,” Brown said.
“There was a bit of pressure early where I thought at one stage I was going to take it up, but I didn’t want to wind him up too much knowing that he gets keen.
“I had to be more of a horseman on him and work with him rather than worrying about trying to bang him into a spot and do something quickly.
“I just allowed him to find his rhythm, bring him back outside the leader where he settled really well and although it was a strong gallop, I wasn’t worried about it.
“Ciaron told me the other day he galloped four laps when the rider couldn’t pull him up at Werribee, so I knew he’d sustain a gallop.
“He’s going to go to the Cup as a huge chance from what I felt today.”
Point Of Law has proven a sensation in the Geelong Cup, and betting markets are already buzzing about his chances in the upcoming Melbourne Cup. Explore the leading Australian betting sites for the latest odds.
