Melbourne Cup winner could have Ascot aim

Ciaron Maher has raised the possibility of a return to the UK for his impressive Melbourne Cup winner Point Of Law.

Formerly owned by the King and Queen and trained by John and Thady Gosden, he was bought privately after winning the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket in July.

After displaying a smart turn of foot to win the Geelong Cup on his first start for Maher the three-year-old colt led home a one-two-three for the trainer in Australia's biggest race.

“I think he's world class,” Maher told www.racing.com. “It certainly wouldn't surprise me if he raced in the best races around the world.

“We'll nut out a bit of a plan over a few drinks and something to eat today. But you wouldn't rule out going back to England, or Dubai, there's some nice races there.

“I always thought, if I had a horse good enough, the Gold Cup would be a nice race to have a horse run in.

“Whether he's up to that, whether it's this year, next year, whether it's at all… but he's certainly got a few of the necessary ingredients, I reckon.

“It should be quite fun, but (I'm) mindful that he's still raw, and I want to let him furnish a bit more.”

Asked how he thought the King might be feeling having sold the Melbourne Cup winner he said: “I know exactly how he'd be feeling – I sold a horse last year named Half Yours, who went on to win the Melbourne Cup.

“Racing can be a funny game sometimes. I'd imagine he's feeling quite bittersweet.”