Melbourne Cup trainer Ciaron Maher still on a high as racing returns to Flemington

Ciaron Maher is yet to digest winning the Melbourne Cup but as racing returns to Flemington the master horseman has eyes on multiple states.

Trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace with Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip. Picture: Racing Photos

Ciaron Maher need not be trackside at Flemington on Saturday to be reminded about winning the Melbourne Cup six weeks ago.

“The everyday person you might meet, wherever I am, will say, ‘Oh, you won that (Cup) race’,” Maher said.

“It is a nice feeling, certainly opens up a lot of doors the Melbourne Cup. Everyone says there is a lot that goes with it and, yeah, that’s right.

“It’s Australia’s iconic race, the race you grow up watching and dream of winning, it’s very fulfilling … it’s all about trying to win it again now, I suppose.”

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Racing returns to Flemington on Saturday, for the first time since the Melbourne Cup week finale on Champions Day and Maher will watch proceedings from Randwick.

His expansion at Warwick Farm, the stable has grown from 50 horses to 80, coupled with yearling inspections has required Maher to shuttle between Melbourne and Sydney often in the past six weeks.

“I’m probably 50-50 (living in Melbourne and Sydney). Our main bases are here but that’s (Sydney) where we’re expanding at the moment,” Maher said.

The commute and continuity of training and racing demands has left Maher little time to digest the Cup triumph with Gold Trip.

“Funny, I always was confident I could win the race (but it feels) almost out of your grasp … because it is such a prestigious race,” Maher said.

“Other races I thought I could win, you build yourself up for them but I suppose the Melbourne Cup there’s that bit of reservation.

“You have your guard up, so when it actually happened I probably wasn’t as ready for it as I was for other races.”

Persan is the class stayer in the Listed JRA Plate at Flemington on Saturday. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Maher has 17 acceptors at six racecourses across four states on Saturday, including Listed JRA Trophy favourite Persan, one of eight at Flemington.

Persan, the $2.90 top selection, placed third last start in the Group 2 Zipping Classic.

As a result of the distinct class edge, Group 1-placed stayer Persan has to lump 6kg more than the rest of the field.

“He’s a victim of his consistency, he’s placed in a Caulfield Cup, always thereabouts,” Maher said.

“He was probably a bit out of form at the start of this preparation but he seems to be starting to hit his straps now.”

Besides Persan and Desperado, second favourite in the 1800m Benchmark 70 at Flemington, fancied mares in Sydney and Perth interest Maher.

Secret Glamour and I Am Me lead the Randwick team on Saturday, while stable ace John Allen is in Perth to ride Steinem in the Group 2 Ted Van Heemst Stakes.

Prized Frankel mare Steinem placed third last start in the Group 1 Northerly Stakes.

“She’s in good form, hopefully (a race she can win) … it’s no pushover, the horse (Ironclad, runner-up in the Northerly) that beat her home the other day is in the race.

“She seems to be thriving over there, gets down the beach, hopefully she can add a Group 2 to her page.”

Originally published as Melbourne Cup trainer Ciaron Maher still on a high as racing returns to Flemington