Middle Earth strikes on Aussie debut in Australian Cup Prelude
Ciaron Maher and Mark Zahra have combined with Middle Earth on his Australian racing debut to claim the Australian Cup Prelude (2000m) at Flemington.
The ex-European gelding was heavily backed with PlayUp in the final 10 minutes before the jump, as his odds continued to shorten from a high of +380 to +250.
The son of Roaring Lion settled worse than midfield and enjoyed a strong tempo that was set by Aramco (+850) and Smokin Romans (+1300) at the front of the field.
As usual in most middle distance races at Flemington, the runs started to come as the field swept around the final corner, with Berkshire Breeze (+1800) and Shaiyhar (+850) getting motivated on the outside of the leaders.
Zahra had to wait for a run to appear to get Middle Earth off the fence, but once it did, his mount let down with a strong turn of foot and finished over the top of Berkshire Breeze and Shaiyhar.
However, his main rival late was his stablemate Duke De Sessa (+340), who was held up behind a wall of horses, and he burst through late to put in a dive at the winner but ultimately missed by a long neck on the line.
Ciaron Maher was elated with the victory in his post-race interview.
“It is great when those really well-credentialled horses come,” Maher said.
“The owners are very patient. He could have a run today and be a live Australian Cup hope.
“I’m sure Mark will give him a glowing report. He started well in the market in the King George (in the UK), but we’ve not seen a lot of that form over here.
“He’s only going to improve. He’s still furnishing.
“There’s no better, patient rider (than Mark Zahra). He gives the horse confidence.
“He looks like he liked Flemington.
“I’m sure the horse will improve as first-up over 10-furlongs, it is a good effort by the team.”
Mark Zahra brought up riding double with the victory, and he spoke post-race.
“He had brilliant form in the UK,” Zahra said of the winner.
“He travelled well. The speed really came out of it but to let them sprint and put pay to them was a really good effort.
“He’s very straightforward, and Ciaron has done a great job getting him ready after they decided not to run in the spring.
“I’m sure there is a lot more improvement to come after today.”
Middle Earth is the equal-second favourite at +350 with online bookmakers in the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) futures markets.
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