The $500,000 Group III Geelong Cup (2400m) on Wednesday featured a big and competitive field of stayers all looking to secure their place in the Group I VRC Melbourne Cup in 13 days time and imports making their Australian debut ran the trifecta with Ciaron Maher winning the race for the first time.
A lightly raced NH bred three year-old, Frankel colt Point of Law (GB) was the least experienced runner with just four previous starts. Barrier 18 was another hurdle to overcome for a horse that had not raced since winning the Group III Bahrain Trophy (2600m) at Newmarket in early July.
Given an inspired ride by Ethan Brown, Point of Law cruised across from his wide gate to settle outside expected leader The Euphrates and then relaxed into a nice rhythm as the race unfolded.
Point of Law was happy to follow the leader and moved up to challenge after turning for home before dashing clear with the Joseph O’Brien trained Irish raiders Small Fry (IRE) and Omni Man (IRE) closing late to grab second and third.
It was a solid staying performance that will earn him a golden ticket straight into the Melbourne Cup in which he has been given 51kg.
Bookmakers immediately installed Point Of Law as an $8 favourite for The Cup despite the likelihood of a weight penalty for his Geelong Cup success.
Geelong Cup | Point Of Law The international visitors run 1-2-3 in the Geelong Cup! At only his 5th career start, Point Of Law takes out the Group 3 feature! ???? @cmaherracing ?? Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app REPLAYS: https://t.co/HEhdpozFmy https://t.co/BqedLxfl7O
— Racing.com (@Racing) October 21, 2026
“It’s the first time I’ve sat on him going to the gates and he was quite keen,” said Ethan Brown.
“From the wide gate it couldn’t have worked out any better, there was a bit of pressure early and one stage I thought I might take it up, but I didn’t want to wind him up given I knew he’d get keen so I just had to be more of a horseman on him and work with him.
“Congratulations to the owners, they have a very good horse on their hands, they’ve spent a bit of money on him and rightly so.”
Point of Law was bred by King Charles III and raced previously for John and Thady Gosden in the Royal Colours before his private sale to Ciaron Maher Racing.
"It's eluded me this race!" Ciaron Maher finally gets his hands on the Geelong Cup ?? @cmaherracing ?? Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app https://t.co/Jojyq6LshI
— Racing.com (@Racing) October 21, 2026
Now a two time stakes-winner with three wins and a second from five starts, Point of Law is a third generation product of the Royal Studs with both his dam and grand-dam bred by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
He is the first winner for stakes-placed Deep Impact mare Portfolio, a daughter of stakes-winning Dubawi mare Diploma with third dam Enticement also a stakes-winner that was raced by The Queen, but purchased as a yearling from Tattersalls October Book 1 by John Warren Bloodstock.
