Point Of Law wins Melbourne Cup as Maher trains historic first three

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Point Of Law won the Melbourne Cup at Flemington on Tuesday as Ciaron Maher became the first trainer to saddle the first three finishers in the race’s 166 runnings.

Ethan Brown steered the British-bred runner to victory by three and three-quarter lengths over stablemate Zahrann, with Juja Kibo third. Sons And Lovers finished fourth for Irish trainer Joseph O'Brien in the 3,200-metre handicap.

The result came after another Maher runner, Royal Supremacy, turned the race into a demanding pursuit. He opened a lead of about 20 lengths before the field began closing on the long Flemington straight. Brown waited with Point Of Law before producing the decisive late run, overtaking the runaway leader and drawing clear.

It was Brown's first Melbourne Cup victory and Maher's second, following Gold Trip's success in 2022 when he trained in partnership with David Eustace.

Point Of Law was making only his sixth career start and his second appearance in Australia. He had won the Geelong Cup on 21 October, securing his place at Flemington and immediately establishing himself as a serious contender for the country's principal staying prize.

The son of Frankel previously raced for King Charles III and Queen Camilla under the care of John and Thady Gosden. His British campaign included victory in the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket in July before his transfer to Maher's stable.

His two Australian wins completed the Geelong Cup–Melbourne Cup double, a route also followed this century by Media Puzzle, Americain and Dunaden. Tuesday's performance confirmed that his successful arrival at Geelong could translate to the longer distance and much larger occasion at Flemington.

Sources

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