Group 1 winner Smokin’ Romans ends 770-day drought in Queen Elizabeth Stakes

Smokin’ Romans scored his first win after 770 days in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and trainer Ciaron Maher is keen to continue his campaign.

Smokin’ Romans ended a 770-day drought with an all-the-way win in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington.

Jockey Ben Melham rated the 2022 Group 1 Turnbull Stakes winner to perfection in front at Flemington, defended a mid-race move and proved strongest late.

“We had it pretty comfortably the first half,” Melham said.

“Mid-race they sent the mozzies out after me but they weren’t fast enough to trouble him.

“I stepped it up from the 1000m when I got on my bike and had Berkeley Square breathing down his neck late, which didn’t want to drop off.

“He’s been a little bit out of form this horse but he’s a good galloper on his day. He just loved that, finding a rhythm in front today and he’s returned to his best.”

Back to his best 💥

SMOKIN' ROMANS leads from the front over the entire 2600m to win the Queen Elizabeth Stakes for @BMelham and @cmaherracing.

🎥 @wwos | #StakesDay | #MelbCupCarnivalpic.twitter.com/yfiGWgo265

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 9, 2024

Smokin’ Romans, trained by Ciaron Maher, returned $13 with Ladbrokes.

Star Vega, prepared by Anthony and Sam Freedman, launched a challenge late to get within a long neck.

Favourite Kinesiology drifted late in betting and raced accordingly.

The imported stayer tracked leader Smokin’ Romans but failed to quicken in the straight.

Serpentine got motivated late to run fourth.

Melham had faith in Smokin’ Romans and Maher.

“It is two years ago but you have to have ability to win a Group One and you can never discount horses in this yard,” Melham said.

“He’s a master, Ciaron, and I just sat on top and pointed.”

Smokin' Romans won the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Flemington, his first since the 2022 Turnbull Stakes. Picture: George Sal/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Smokin’ Romans will be aimed at the Zipping Classic at Caulfield on November 30.

“I’d say definitely. I feel that a few of these horses will be having a crack at that, and he’s winning, so we’ll see if we can put him and Ben together,” Maher said.

“He’s a horse that’s a Turnbull winner. He hasn’t got to that form for a long time, but fantastic for the horse, the owners, the team, to get a big win like this.

“He’s a quirky fella. He was playing up a fair bit out the back so when you know he’s doing that he normally runs a pretty forward race.”

HINGED BREAKS BARREN RUN

Talented mare Hinged scored her first win in almost 1000 days after she stormed home under hard riding from James McDonald to win the $300,000 Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m).

Trainer Chris Waller never lost faith in his mare – who has won more than $2m – after plenty of near misses since her previous success in the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) back in February 2022.

“She’s a great horse, she hadn’t won I think for 18 months, but (part-owner) Brae Sokolski was telling me this morning, she’s been fighting against some really good horses and often comes off second or third best. But she got her day today.”

James McDonald with an absolute master class. Perfectly timed run on HINGED to win by a head in the TAB Matriarch Stakes.

🎥 @wwos | #StakesDay | #MelbCupCarnivalpic.twitter.com/UX3dSaFXBZ

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 9, 2024

The six-year-old had been a flashing light run in the Rosehill Cup behind Fawkner Park last start but looked set to fight out for second spot when outsider Sirileo Miss opened up a big break deep into the straight.

But McDonald got to work on Hinged and stormed to the line to claim the mare’s long-awaited seventh victory from 40 starts.

Waller said: “She found the right race, she had the right weight. James McDonald, a good barrier, long Flemington straight, she needed all of those things.”

LAW WINS INGLIS BANNER

A Golden Slipper-winning combination could be in for another profitable ride after Within The Law’s debut win in the $500,000 Inglis Banner.

The Inglis Banner was run for the first time at Flemington after previously opening the Cox Plate day card at The Valley.

Jockey Ben Melham perfectly-timed Within The Law’s finishing burst to get the Darby Racing-syndicated filly ($7) home over the top of the fellow first-starter Chisholm ($4.20 fav).

Times her run to perfection 👌

WITHIN THE LAW navigates the Flemington straight to win the Inglis Banner over 1000m.

🎥 @wwos | #StakesDay | #MelbCupCarnivalpic.twitter.com/4PvusclKoH

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 9, 2024

Melham wore the Darby Racing silks to Golden Slipper glory on the Gary Portelli-trained She Will Reign in 2017.

“She had a good drop on them, got into a great rhythm and I felt she was always going to win,” Melham said.

Trainer Bjorn Baker is likely to give Within The Law a chance to win another Inglis-restricted race in next month’s $500,000 Inglis Nursery at Randwick.

“Not a bad start, of course, at Warwick Farm in Sydney, they’re our neighbours, so it’s great to win the Inglis race,” Baker said.