The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable has worked their magic with Smokin’ Romans who landed his first Group 1 win and, in the process, leapt to the top of Caulfield Cup markets.
Smokin’ Romans won the Pakenham Cup towards the end of his last preparation, but this campaign has risen to a new level, firstly winning the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield and on Saturday, the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.
On the strength of his 1-½ length win in Saturday’s race, TAB promoted Smokin’ Romans to $5 favourite for the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 15.
The past two winners of the Turnbull – Verry Elleegant (2020) and Incentivise (2021) – have gone on to win the Caulfield Cup.
Ridden by Ethan Brown, Smokin’ Romans ($21) defeated Maximal ($14) with Young Werther ($8.50) a short-head away third.
Brown will have to forfeit his ride on Smokin’ Romans as he will be Sydney bound to ride Snapdancer in The Everest (1200m) at Randwick.
Maher said it was likely Jamie Kah would take over on the Caulfield Cup favourite who drops to 51.5kg.
“He’s got the light weight and there’s only a few to ride that weight and I’d say she’d be pretty happy to get on after today,” Maher said.
A change in stabling environment has been put forward for the change in fortunes for Smokin’ Romans.
The gelding now spends most of his time stable at Maher’s Fingal property on the Mornington Peninsula.
“He’s been a real product of the system, I suppose,” Maher said.
“Late last prep we sent him down to the beach as he was always very quirky just to get him used to going on and off the float all the time.
“He’d lose it and lose a lot of weight just stressing. It desensitised him and he’s carrying a lot more condition now.
“He’s shown he’s in good form the whole way through and even when Ethan jumped on, he said he’ll run a race today.”
Brown said Smokin’ Romans was an easy horse to ride and was so tractable in the run.
“He gave me a lovely ride throughout,” Brown said.
“He’s taken a lot of improvement from last start, and I thought he was a bit overlooked today and he has defied his odds to win.”