If you didn’t know that Qatar Racing’s improving middle-distance English colt Middle Earth was part-owned by an Australian, you wouldn’t be alone. As it turns out, the Australian in question is Ciaron Maher.
As it turns out, the Melbourne Cup has always been on the four-year-old’s radar. That is definitely the plan now after he made a successful seasonal debut at Newbury.
Middle Earth Impressive in Aston Park Stakes
On a Group 1 day at Newbury in England, Middle Earth was contesting the Group 3 Aston Park Stakes. Run over 2400m, the race provided a great finish between some powerhouses of British racing.
In the end, $4.33 shot Middle Earth, ridden by Oisin Murphy for John & Thady Gosden, just got the better of Godolphin’s King Of Conquest for William Buick and Charlie Appelby.
That win has led to Middle Earth, a son of Roaring Lion, being given a lofty rating of 115. He’s won four of his last five races now having finished last year with a Listed win at Ascot.
He contested the St Leger before that without success, though he was a handicap winner at the all-important Ebor Festival at York. Even earlier he beat a horse who is now contesting Group staying races in the UK.
His form therefore is outstanding. His current yard reckons he will come on plenty for his latest run too.
He managed to come from last to first in a slowly-run race, which always takes some doing. He appreciated the fast ground too, with heavy rain in his upcoming events an apparent disadvantage.
Middle Earth has an entry in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, another 2400m race. John Gosden informed the public at Newbury that Ciaron Maher will be asked for his opinion before plans are made.
The plan remains to see out the British summer and then head to Australia for the Melbourne Cup later this year.
The Map Wins Her Golden Ticket
The Map just keeps coming up on these pages. The mare was sent off favourite for last weekend’s Andrew Ramsden Stakes. As it turns out, she did not disappoint.
Given that the race offers ballot exemption, The Map has now confirmed her place among the final field of Melbourne Cup runners should all remain well between now and then.
As we reported, Excelleration was well fancied despite being a handy price. He was third in the end behind Mostly Cloudy but this was all about The Map.
Having been busy lately, The Map can now relax if her connections want her to. The hard work is done in more ways than one and her place in the final field is guaranteed.
Owners and trainers of this mare can sit back and prepare for spring, working back from the Melbourne Cup on November 5. She is now a market mover, coming in to as short as $15 in a place after her latest win.
