Trainer Ciaron Maher eyes Melbourne Cup-qualifying Andrew Ramsden Stakes with Strawberry Rock and Lionel

Strawberry Rock has another opportunity to claim a Melbourne Cup golden ticket at Flemington on Saturday in the Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m).

Strawberry Rock in full flight at The Valley. Picture: Brett Holburt / Racing Photos

Strawberry Rock has another opportunity to claim a Melbourne Cup golden ticket at Flemington on Saturday in the Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m).

The consistent stayer – who has a win and four placings from the past five appearances, including a narrow defeat in the Cup-qualifying Roy Higgins two starts back – is an $8.50 chance with TAB.

Ciaron Maher Racing stablemate Lionel is a $6 second favourite behind South Australian stayer The Map ($2.90) for the 2800m feature.

“Hard to split our two, to be honest, because a lot (is) unknown with Lionel,” Maher assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said.

“You know Strawberry has the runs on the board.”

Despite a bounty of Cup runners in recent times – Maher had five in the final field last year – the Roy Higgins and Andrew Ramsden have thus far eluded the champion trainer.

“It is an awkward time of year, you’re either having to keep going all the way through or having a short breather and continuing on,” Turnbull said.

“It takes a certain horse to win a race like this and go on to the Melbourne Cup.”

STRAWBERRY ROCK relished every bit of the 2500m today to win at Moonee Valley with the weight of the @RidgmontFarm crew on his back! pic.twitter.com/VfLyFdIw42

— Cunningham Thoroughbreds (@CunninghamTbred) March 23, 2024

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Strawberry Rock looked the winner of the Roy Higgins two starts back before New Zealand raider Mark Twain surged late to win by half a length.

Strawberry Rock sustained a strong gallop to place third in the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) last start, having travelled last in the run for much of the trip.

“There’s nothing to say or suggest he won’t (go one better than Roy Higgins), he had a nice jumpout in between, he’s very fit, we know he gets the trip,” Turnbull said.

The Sandown Cup (3200m) could be an option for Strawberry Rock next month should he win or run well on Saturday.

"He's a genuine, genuine stayer."

Former UK galloper, Lionel, will step out for just his second Australian start in the Andrew Ramsden 👊@cmaherracingpic.twitter.com/0W5Sx9mYc9

— Racing.com (@Racing) May 14, 2024

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English import Lionel placed third on debut for Maher last month at Mornington in a 2000m race won by Arran Bay.

“2000m would be his bottom trip, but his international rating and how it compares to Australia, on his best at the trip, he would be equal highest rater if he could run back to that figure,” Turnbull said.

“But you’re taking a lot on trust going from 2000m to 2800m. He’s a lightly raced stayer proven at the trip overseas and hopefully he can get the trip second up.”

Lionel won a 2253m Listed race at Goodwood in 2022 at only his third start.

He failed in the Group 1 Irish Derby but bounced back to place third in a 2847m Listed race at Ascot.

“If he was to win (Andrew Ramsden) you probably then resetting a touch to get him ready for the spring,” Turnbull said.

“Or there’s a 2500m Benchmark 84 three weeks later back at Flemington, which he could run in to get his rating up.

“We believe he could do it, so we’re giving him a go.”

Originally published as Trainer Ciaron Maher eyes Melbourne Cup-qualifying Andrew Ramsden Stakes with Strawberry Rock and Lionel