Jumps to spark Smokin’ Romans at Sandown

Smokin' Romans (NZ) (Ghibellines)  has undergone a course of jumping that the Ciaron Maher stable hopes will rejuvenate the Group 1 winner. 

The rising 10-year-old recently ran second in a hurdle school at Traralgon in preparation for his second-up run of the campaign in the Quayclean Handicap (1800m) at Sandown on Saturday. 

Victorious in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington in October 2022, Smokin' Romans has been winless since taking out the Warrnambool Cup (2350m) in May last year. 

His best result was a second in a 2000m contest at Caulfield last August with a further eight unplaced efforts. 

Jack Turnbull, the National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, said Smokin' Romans shows plenty of promise as a jumper, but whether he actually races over jumps remains an open question. 

"We're just trying to get him on the front foot. Trying to find that zest again," Turnbull said. 

"He's very natural at it and if our team had our way, we would love to (jump him). 

"Steven Pateman rode him and said give him another one and then 'let's rock 'n' roll', but with the (ownership) group it gets a little bit political. 

"He's had a pretty decorated career. He won the Turnbull and has been successful since, so whether he goes down that path, we'll see. 

"He may have another one as part of his training and conditioning, but he is very good at it, as is his brother Flamin' Romans (NZ) (Ghibellines) who will go jumping." 

Smokin' Romans will be joined in Saturday's race by Gilded Water (Fastnet Rock) who finished a long last in his return run over Saturday's course and distance on May 23. 

Gilded Water, raced by His Majesty The King, was diagnosed post-race with internal exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage. 

Turnbull said Gilded Water had been thoroughly vetted since his first-up flop. 

"I know he had an internal bleed, and everything didn't go to plan, but that is something we can change and manage," Turnbull said. 

"He's had that run now and hopefully we can get on a track that is better for him. 

"With him, it's a bit of a balance because he's a hard going horse and you have to find that happy medium. 

"We deal with this often, and not just with the better horses, but lower, mid-tier animals have it as well and it's something you just have to deal with."