Trainer Ciaron Maher saddled-up the hot favourite Pride Of Jenni in Saturday’s Australian Cup 2025 at Flemington but it was the stable’s underrated import, Light Infantry Man, who scored a striking two-length upset as the mare faded to finish well out of the money.

The Group 1 $2.5 million Australian Cup (2000m) was expected to go the way of Maher’s first-up 2.75 length Peter Young Stakes winner Pride Of Jenni who jumped at $3.80.

However, the punters were left in tears as jockey Ethan Brown gave Maher’s Fast Company six-year-old Light Infantry Man ($9) a peach of a ride off a savage pace to pull well clear and charge home in style.

“It was sedate early but, as Jenni does, she picked it up a long way out,” winning hoop Brown told Racing.com post-victory.

“He was always going to relish it this bloke. 2000 metres was never a worry for him, but all the cards fell our way today.

“It’s a long straight that Flemington straight, but he really appreciates being ridden like that and I’m super rapt to get the job done today.”

Pride Of Jenni, runner-up in the race last year behind Cascadian, set a red-hot pace as expected however, she was the first to lose ground as they rounded the turn for home eventually finishing second last (9th) some 15 lengths beaten.

Brown was quick to take advantage, hitting the lead early in the straight with 300m to travel on the classy, last start All-Star Mile third placed Light Infantry Man who relished the speed and never looked in danger of being run down.

On the line Light Infantry Man had two lengths to spare over the Anthony & Sam Freedman trained Deny Knowledge ($11) who never gave up fighting while the Godolphin raced mare Zardozi ($4.60) was strong late flashing into third to complete the Australian Cup trifecta.

“Very, very good. She’s already looking for further. She was good but the winner was too sharp,” Jamie Melham said of the third placed Zardozi who could be in for another good spring later in the year with the big Cup races calling.

The winning French bred gelding out toughed and outran his rivals fit third-up and appreciating the 2000m to add a second Group 1 to his CV.

“I was pretty confident actually,” Maher said when asked how he thought Light Infantry Man would handle the 2000m.

“I knew he’d enjoy that good tempo because of his races in Europe and he’s just in career-best form.”

He enjoyed a successful visit to Western Australia over the summer winning the Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot and was back in elite level winning form to hand Maher his first Australian Cup trophy.

“The team have done a great job with him, Browny rode him beautifully,” Maher added.

“When he ran first-up I said if he rides Flemington like he rode him at Caulfield (it would be good). He’s a strong horse and can sustain it.

“I’m so rapt for the ownership group, John and Ozzie. Will Bourne just keeps finding these horses. Big thanks to him and just to the team.

“He just keeps improving, he put the writing on the wall in Perth. It’s fantastic, He won quite well.”

As for Pride Of Jenni, a second retirement could be pending after her flat effort late left jockey Craig Newitt scratching his head.

“A bit of a head-scratcher,” Newitt itted.

“She flew the gates, and I was happy with the first couple of furlongs, and she had travelled well, and we got to the 1200 (metres) and they were still there, and I let her slide a little bit, but she was well and truly beaten at the thousand which was very unlike her.”

2025 Australian Cup Results

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