The Melbourne Cup has a new favourite after Wednesday’s Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m) after inexperienced import Point Of Law scored a highly impressive victory to win his way into the field.
Formerly owned by King Charles III, Point Of Law is still only three years old by northern hemisphere standards but showcased a decisive on-pace display to beat his hardened staying rivals.
In front past the post with a lap to travel, the $5.50 chance was soon headed by The Euphrates ($4f), who scuttled through to lead.
The pair opened up by more than six lengths on their nearest pursuer with a mile to cover.
When the pack eventually closed at the 400m, Ethan Brown slid Point Of Law past The Euphrates and asked for the supreme effort once straightening.
Small Fry ($6) and Omni Man ($16), also international raiders having their first Australian start, ran to second and third but could not wear down Point Of Law, who won by a half-length.
It was only the son of Frankel’s fifth start, but it shot him to $7 favouritism for the Melbourne Cup in less than two weeks’ time.
“He’s just a good horse,” Maher, who won his first Geelong Cup, said.
“He was well-credentialled in Europe, but he’s very lightly raced.
“It’s fantastic that we were able to get the horse.”
Clients of Maher acquired the entire in August and he only has 51kg for the Melbourne Cup, though the victory could earn a penalty.
The most recent Geelong Cup-Melbourne Cup victor was Dunaden in 2011, but the race has a history of turning up competitive starters in the latter event.
“It’s great to win it, but great to win it with such a progressive horse,” Maher said.
“Hopefully he pulls up well because he looks like he’ll run two miles.
“With each passing day, he’s relaxed a little bit more. He’s got used to the routine. He paraded beautifully.”
Geelong is familiar territory to King Charles III having attended Geelong Grammar’s Timbertop campus for two terms in 1966.
+ After initially being made available for this weekend’s Cox Plate meeting, Mark Zahra will miss riding Middle Earth in the major race.
Following his race fall in Saturday’s Caulfield Cup, Zahra seemed OK to ride; however, he has erred with caution after medical advice.
“We discussed it, and look, if I was a footy player I’d probably have a fitness test on Saturday morning and work out whether I’m right to go,” Zahra told Racenet.
“I didn’t really want to leave trainers in the lurch if I didn’t get up for Saturday.
“If you look at the fall, and someone says you’re only going to miss a week, you’d be pretty happy with that.
“I was just sore all up the left side, got the absolute s..t knocked out of me, but I never lost consciousness, which is a miracle, considering how I got flung to the ground.
“My head and that was all right, but I was very lucky.”