Tuesday Summary: Point Of Law sensational in Melbourne Cup triumph

Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Point Of Law heads a Maher trifecta in ‘The Cup’

It was the Ciaron Maher show in the 2026 running of the G1 Melbourne Cup, with the Champion trainer producing the trifecta and remarkably, saddling five of the first six horses across the line.

Leading the charge was Point Of Law (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who proved simply too good for his rivals, producing a dazzling turn of foot at the end of the gruelling two-mile contest to claim Australia's most famous race in the hands of Ethan Brown.

There was plenty of early activity, with Ben Allen aboard Royal Supremacy (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) working across to take up the running ahead of Vauban (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) and Kizlyar (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}), who settled in handy positions.

The tempo continued to build as Royal Supremacy extended his advantage, one and off the accelerator at various stages leading by anywhere between eight and 20 lengths. He was still well clear approaching the 400-metre mark, although the chasing pack was beginning to close in.

Juja Kibo (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}) looked a serious contender when looming towards the outside, but Ethan Brown aboard Point Of Law found a passage closer to the inside and unleashed his devastating acceleration.

Once balanced in the straight, Point Of Law quickly put the race beyond doubt, surging clear to score by just under four lengths after producing an outstanding finishing burst in one of the strongest staying tests of the year.

Zahrann (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) ran on resolutely for second, finishing a nose ahead of Juja Kibo in third, while stablemates Royal Supremacy and Shockletz (NZ) (Shocking) completed the remarkable stable result in fifth and sixth respectively.

Winning trainer Ciaron Maher was understandably delighted, not only with Point Of Law's performance but also with the extraordinary achievement of his team, highlighting how much the mare had continued to thrive throughout her preparation.

“I knew I had my best hand going into it. We just had to execute. I certainly didn’t know that Royal Supremacy would go and lead by that far but nothing better than a true staying test, maher said.

“Point Of Law has just thrived. I can’t thank all the team enough all the owners - what a ride they have been on. It's been a whirlwind really.

“I’m very proud of all the team.”

Maher was also asked about encouraging Brown to take the ride on Point Of Law after the jockey had initially committed to Zahrann, explaining that it had been a difficult decision for the rider.

“I'm sure he'd be happy that I did that now. Browny had a tough decision to make he was on Zahrann, he knew how good he was going and he had to jump off so look he's made the right call

“He's a beautiful man Browny and he was dialed in, I think I've seen an instagram photo of him and he looked like he was very chiseled and you can tell he put in the work and the dedication and it shows.”

With Point Of Law still relatively lightly raced and having now delivered on the biggest stage, Maher was naturally optimistic about what might lie ahead for the talented galloper.

“I think the world's his oyster really. He's obviously very talented. He's won that very well and he's a European three year old still. I think he's got a bright future, a big engine and should be a lot of fun.”

For winning jockey Ethan Brown, the triumph carried enormous personal significance, with the rider taking time to acknowledge the support and faith Maher had shown in him throughout his career.

“I’ll just start with Ciaron. It’s been well documented how he talked me out of horse training at one stage. I was about 22 years old but he’s done nothing but support me and back me in. I’ve buggered up plenty of times on his horses and he has had nothing but faith. He’s believed in me and shown that by putting me on. I’m quite speechless.

“He's nothing but good to me. He's supported me from when I came back and even before that. I've buggered up plenty of times for him and he just keeps fronting up and putting me on and it just shows he's sort of, how do I explain it, he wants to help me I guess and to be able to win a Melbourne Cup for him, I've got to pinch myself, I'm still lost for words.”

Asked to reflect on how the race unfolded and the mare's decisive finishing burst, Brown explained that he had always been confident in his exceptional turn of foot, despite finding himself further back than intended.

“Looking at the race I thought he has got the best turn of foot in the race by far. I got shuffled back a bit further than I would have liked but I was busy working with him and getting him to settle and I looked up and Royal Supremacy was about 20 (lengths) in front and I thought oh god. So i had to just stay cool, stay patient, cut the bend and once he got that clear running his turn of foot was enormous. He is going to be a superstar this. He’s something special.”

Sales info: Point of Law was bred by King Charles III and raced previously for John and Thady Gosden in the Royal Colours before his private sale to Ciaron Maher Racing.

Pedigree info: Point Of Law is out of the two-time winning Deep Impact (Jpn) mare Portfolio (Jpn) who was also placed at Listed level. There is plenty of top class international blood within the family with Point Of Law’s grandam Diploma (GB) being a Listed winner by Dubawi (Ire) and his great-grandam Enticement (GB) being a dual Listed winner by Montjeu (Ire).

Shadhavar just keeps winning

The old saying that mares in form can remain in form and continue producing their best performances certainly rings true for the Tom Dabernig-trained Shadhavar (Pride Of Dubai), who continued her outstanding run with a third consecutive Group victory, taking out the G3 The Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes over 1400 metres in commanding fashion.

There was some early pressure for the lead, but Craig Williams was determined to make the most of a handy barrier and retain the front, which he did successfully. Oh Too Good (All Too Hard), Terilee (Territories {Ire}) and Stylish (Lonhro) all settled close behind, with the field maintaining a decent tempo through the early and middle stages.

As they straightened, Williams was travelling comfortably aboard the well-backed favourite, and it quickly became apparent that Shadhavar had plenty left to offer.

When Williams asked her to extend at the 300-metre mark, the mare responded with an impressive turn of foot, quickly putting the race beyond doubt before racing away to score by just over four lengths.

Tomato Toastie (Too Darn Hot {GB}) ran on nicely to finish second, while Gold Medallist (Pierata) was a nose further back in third.

For winning trainer Tom Dabernig, the performance was particularly pleasing given it was Shadhavar's first appearance at Flemington, with the mare continuing to improve with every preparation.

“It's the first time to Flemington. She's by Pride Of Dubai and often they get better as they get older and she's just improving with every run so we're absolutely delighted.”

With the mare now enjoying a terrific run of form, Dabernig was also asked whether a possible tilt at the G1 Orr Stakes could be on the agenda, revealing that it was already an option being considered.

“I must admit we'd handwritten it in the calendar, hopeful, and we hadn't talked about it a lot before today, we were just going to see how she performed.”

Winning jockey Craig Williams was quick to deflect much of the credit back to the mare, while also acknowledging the preparation and planning that had gone into producing another strong performance.

“Nice ride for me, I can't do it without her performance and obviously Tom Dabernig and his team just when they prepare the horses they just have so many options. She had the right barrier, she had to step up in weight today against these horses.

Williams was also full of praise for the mare and acknowledged the support of her connections.

“She's an amazing horse Shadhavar, and Prime Thoroughbreds have given me a great opportunity, so it’s really good for them.”

Sales info: Prime Thoroughbreds paid $85,000 for Shadhavar at the 2023 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, where she was offered by The Chase.

Pedigree info: Shadhavar is one of three winners for the winning Sebring mare Cross Legend, a half-sister to Group 2-winning sire Thronum and Listed Lonhro Plate victress Cythera (I Am Invincible).

This damline traces back to the potent Helen Street (GB) (Troy {GB}), dam of Street Cry (Ire) and second dam of Shamardal (USA). Her other direct descendants include Territories (Ire), last spring’s G2 Matriarch Stakes winner Sunset Park (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), and the G2 Hobartville Stakes winner Osipenko (Pierro).

Cross Legend in recent times has produced an unraced 3-year-old gelding named Captain Drago (Russian Revolution), a yearling filly by Hanseatic and foaled a Move To Strike colt last month.

Sabaj drops back in grade and scores

On face value, finishing twelfth, twelfth and seventh hardly looks like the ideal lead-in to a well-backed favourite in a Listed race.

However, those recent performances had all come in Group 1 company, and the drop back in grade proved exactly what the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Sabaj (Manhattan Rail) needed, with the gelding returning to winning form in the Listed Asahi Super Dry Plate over 1800 metres.

A winner of last year's Listed Cranbourne Cup, Sabaj had been performing at a high level throughout his career, making this latest success a deserved reward for his consistency and ability.

There was only a moderate tempo through the early stages, with Al Duca (Al Maher) taking up the running and Wymark (NZ) (Savabeel) settling outside the leader. Mark Zahra gave Sabaj a quiet ride, allowing him to settle three back along the inside.

Al Duca produced a decent kick upon straightening and briefly looked to have the field chasing, but Zahra began searching for opportunities closer to the rail. Once a gap appeared, he drove Sabaj through, hit the front and then held off the late challengers to score by a long neck.

Darkbonee (Palentino) ran on solidly into second, while Magnaspin (Magnus) finished another half-length away in third after travelling wide with cover throughout.

Much of the credit belonged to Zahra, who produced another characteristically composed ride to get the best out of Sabaj, having also partnered the gelding to victory at last year's carnival.

“It took me a year to get back on him, they drive a hard bargain there at the stable. He’s a beautiful horse, obviously he's been running in very good races, got back to his grade, or to a drop in grade today, he had every chance, and he was strong in the end.”

Zahra also explained the importance of finding the right passage through the field, particularly given the gelding's tendency to be slow away from the barriers.

“He's not the best barrier horse, so you've got to take your medicine. They didn't go that hard, I was three back the fence and it was always going to be a matter of just getting a bit of room and luckily I was travelling good enough that I was able to go back in and then come out and just stave off the challenge late from Darkbonee.”

Winning co-trainer Michael Kent Jnr was proud of the gelding's performance, particularly after three recent Group 1 appearances had failed to produce the results his connections were hoping for.

“I mean he's been in three group ones where he's drawn wide and been back and widest every time. It got a bit hairy there I must admit but in Zahra we trust and the horse was excellent.

“He's got a cheeky nom for Saturday (Champion Stakes). So I'll be on him tomorrow morning at the beach and I'll give you (owners) a call and tell you. So if not that, then there is the option to go to Perth.”

Kent Jnr also reflected on the gelding's relatively light spring campaign and the satisfaction of getting his preparation back on track.

“It is the week of backups and he's been given a very light spring so far. We tried to aim at the Toorak, it didn't quite work for us so we're back on track, everyone's got their confidence back, it’s a good problem to have.”

Sales info: Sabaj is raced by a big group of owners which also involved his breeders.

Pedigree info: Sabaj is out of the unraced Uncle Mo (USA) mare Bouzy, who has left three individual winners.

She is a half-sister to the three-time winner and Group 3 and Listed-placed Pimm’s Party (Street Boss {USA}) and comes from the extended family of the South African Group 1 winner Run Fox Run (Foxwedge) and the Listed winner Guard Of Honour (Northern Meteor).

In recent times Bouzy has left the 2-year-old colt Bypass (Peltzer) and a yearling colt by Peltzer before she sadly died in September.

Hellsing claims the Big Dance in the room

The Annabel and Rob Archibald training partnership added another significant feature-race success to its season, claiming the $3 million Listed Big Dance at Randwick on Tuesday with Hellsing (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}), although the result came in dramatic and controversial circumstances.

The stable also saddled Formal Display (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), who crossed the line first but was subsequently relegated to fourth following a successful protest by the connections of Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto {NZ}), who had finished fourth.

It was a competitive field of 20 runners that lined up for the feature, with Perfumist (NZ) (El Roca) establishing a strong early tempo and Fully Lit (Hellbent) applying pressure from outside the leader.

Hellsing settled in the trail, while the well-backed pair of Gringotts and Formal Display found positions around sixth and seventh, just behind the leading group.

As the field straightened, Perfumist kicked strongly and gave the chasing runners plenty to do. Hellsing loomed into contention at the 100-metre mark, levelling up and appearing to have the race within his grasp.

Gringotts, meanwhile, was desperately unlucky in the straight, while Formal Display produced a powerful late charge under Chad Schofield to get up in the final strides.

At the finish, Formal Display crossed the line first, with Hellsing a nose away in second, Matias (Snitzel) in third and Gringotts fourth.

However, the protest result dramatically altered the finishing order, with Hellsing promoted to first, Matias moving from third to second, Gringotts advancing from fourth to third and Formal Display relegated from first to fourth.

Winning jockey Tom Sherry was naturally delighted with the outcome, although he acknowledged that the manner of the victory was not quite how connections would have envisaged it.

“We’ll take it. The funny thing is with the horse, third-up every prep he fires. He had two ordinary runs last preparation, then he won at Randwick and he went on to win the Scone Cup.”

Sherry explained that he had been pleased with the gelding's preparation heading into the Big Dance, particularly given the similarities to the campaign that had previously brought out his best.

“I thought he’d had a similar preparation. He ran well first-up, went to the Toorak, he didn’t have a great run. He was three-deep the trip in a good Toorak - and I thought he was spot-on today and the team was happy with him.”

Reflecting on the finish, Sherry admitted that Formal Display had produced a powerful late sprint and that Schofield's mount had made the closing stages particularly testing.

“He quickened to win the race, and Chad on Formal Display, being held up he probably had a better sprint than me late.

“But he (Hellsing) was tough. I think if he didn’t get held up and he got to me slowly, my guy would have fought on a little harder. It was just how fast he came to me. But we’ll take it, that’s for sure.”

Sales info: Hellsing was originally purchased by Richard Ryan for €100,000 (AU$160,000) from the 2021 Goffs Ireland Orby Yearling Sale

Pedigree info: Hellsing is out of the unraced Le Havre (Ire) mare Souzie (Ire), who is a half-sister to Hawke (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}) and Mireille (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}) who were both Listed winners.

This is also the family of the Champion colt and stallion Luxembourg (Ire) who was successful at Group 1 level four times.