Smokin Romans powers into Caulfield Cup
Smokin Romans notched more stakes race success in the MRC Foundation Cup at Caulfield on Saturday
By Jonny Turner
White Robe Lodge graduate Smokin Romans booked his ticket into the Group One Caulfield Cup when powering to an impressive win in the Group 3 MRC Foundation Cup at Caulfield on Saturday.
The WRL bred and sold son of Ghibellines put away a quality field in style to take out the A$200,000 feature for trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace and rider Ethan Brown.
Smokin Romans (Ghibellines-Inferno-Yamanin Vital) has been excellent since stepping up to a middle distance this spring, coming into Saturday’s race on the back of a nice second at Mooney Valley.
Even more accomplished over a longer trip, the Maher-Eustace camp can get the chance to aim their classy galloper at one of the biggest staying features in Australasia with his automatic qualification for the Caulfield Cup.
"Smokin' Romans aim was The Bart Cummings for the prep to get him into the (Melbourne) Cup, but what a great problem to have to switch to the Caulfield Cup," Maher said.
Smokin Romans has shined past 2000m, having won the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) and running second in the Group Three Bendigo Cup (2400m) last year.
The six-year-old looks to have returned better for his last prep and ready to take on the best stayers at Group One level.
"He's carrying a lot more strength because he's a lot more relaxed,” Maher said.
“He put the writing on the wall last start at 2000 metres, but he struck Mankayan, who was a fit racehorse.”
"It was a beautiful ride by Ethan Brown, who went forward and looked to control the speed. He looked in control the whole way.
"The owners and I have always had high aspirations for him and just looking at the horse, you can tell he was in for a great prep."
Smokin Roman was bred by WRL and sold to Darren Weir Racing for $52,500 at the Karaka yearling sales.
The galloper will race for little less than ten times his purchase price when competing in the A$5million Caulfield Cup
Another White Robe Stallion also boosted his chances of winning a big cup race on Saturday.
Raise The Flag seven-year-old Athene (Raise The Flag-Zenagen-Skagen) showed she was on track for a tilt at the New Zealand Cup with her smart win over 2000m at Riccarton.
The mare led throughout and never gave her rivals a look in, clearing out to score by two and a half lengths for rider Krishna Mudhoo and trainer Terri Rae.