Maher to land second Cup: Watch for the runner with the ‘old-fashioned Cummings preparation’

He won the Melbourne Cup for the first time with Gold Trip in 2022, and this year he has seven starters – all of them with a chance.

The biggest obstacle to Maher’s second victory in the race that stops a nation is Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien, who has five runners. But don’t discount colourful trainer Bjorn Baker.

Race 7: $10m Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), 3pm

The favourite: UK import Point Of Law rocketed into contention after one of the most impressive Geelong Cup victories since Dunaden did the double in 2011. Now trained by Maher, Point Of Law is a northern hemisphere three-year-old, which has proven a winning formula in the past, and it is only a matter of time before star hoop Ethan Brown wins a major. The Frankle colt can get fizzed up, so look for his manners in the pre-race parade ring. If he’s relaxed, he can win.

The threats: Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien has five runners, and Trustyourinstinct looks the best, having run fourth in the Irish St Leger last start – a path taken by O’Brien’s 2020 Cup winner Twilight Payment. Maher’s mare Shockletz (51kg) is shaping as the fairytale story. Hoop Harry Coffey broke his collar bone on Saturday but has been cleared to take the ride. Imagine if they win? There is growing support for UK runner Hopewell Rock, while Baker’s So You Are has won four straight. Maher has given Middle Earth the old-fashioned Bart Cummings preparation – covering plenty of miles in the Turnbull Stakes, Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate.

The roughies: Zahrann was close to starting favourite in the Caulfield Cup but was disadvantaged by interference. A forgotten horse. Mr Monaco looked impressive in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup. And Grahame Begg has given Zakouma warm up laps with the Melbourne Cup the sole focus.

Melbourne Cup trifecta:

1st: 2, 4, 20 2nd: 2, 4, 16, 20, 24 3rd: 2, 4, 9, 12, 15, 16,18, 19, 20, 24 $10 flexi for 10.4 per cent.

Best bets:

Ranarsson (Race 8, No.5) is no spoil at the odds, but brings superior country form and will help punters narrow up quaddies. Peyton (Race 4, No.4) and Fovea (Race 4, No.13) can run the quinella in race four.

Cup day quaddie:

1st leg: 2, 4, 15, 16, 20, 24. 2nd leg: 5, 13. 3rd leg: 2, 7, 8, 11. 4th leg: 1, 3, 4, 6, 12.

Read more from our racing coverage

• Form guide: See Michelle Payne’s Melbourne Cup tips
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• Pick your winners: Download our Melbourne Cup sweep
• ‘Made of different stuff’: Injured jockey’s miracle Melbourne Cup bid
• ‘Fearless’: How young jockey overcame death threats and abuse

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• Bart Cummings
• Caulfield Cup
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• Victorian racing