The Ciaron Maher stable will saddle three hopes at it chases back-to-back victories in the Pakenham Cup.

Maher won the 2500m Listed race with Ashrun back in March after the race was not run in 2023 as Racing Victoria tinkered with race dates.

But with the Cranbourne Turf Club and Pakenham Racing Club merging to form Southside Racing and their desire to have a two-day Carnival, the Pakenham Cup is back to a December date, although later than it had been previously.

While Maher won with Ashrun earlier in the year, he also won the race when in a training partnership with David Eustace, preparing Smokin’ Romans to win in 2021.

Smokin’ Romans is back again this time around with Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull saying the stayer is in, arguably, as good form as he has been throughout his career.

“You can’t say he’s in career-best form because he’s a Group 1 winner, but I’d say he’s just starting to push the ceiling a bit and has found his groove again,” Turnbull said.

“He” very fit, his form speaks for himself, so hopefully he runs accordingly.”

Turnbull said after Smokin’ Romans won the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington on November 9, the wet track when second to Arapaho in the Zipping Classic (2400m) at Caulfield last time did not play into his hands.

“We got beaten by a decent galloper last time and we’ll find a field of 10 on Saturday, so he should get it pretty comfortable in front, and it looks a good set up for him,” Turnbull said.

Herman Hesse won successive races at Mornington and Caulfield, including defeating Melbourne Cup placegetter Okita Soushi in the Herbert Power Stakes, before unplaced Cup runs at Geelong and Bendigo.

At his latest appearance, Herman Hesse finished a close second at Newcastle on November 16.

“It is five weeks, but he’s had a little jump out with Interpretation the other day,” Turnbull said.

“Fitness is no concern with him, it’s more tempo related. He can’t sprint, or he doesn’t have a huge change up speed, so he’ll be forward.

“It’ll be a matter of when he puts himself into the race, and if he can sustain it.”

Strawberry Rock is the third of Maher’s trio in Saturday’s race.

After running well first-up at Flemington, Strawberry Rock disappointed over the 2000m of the Ballarat Cup last start when back with the tailenders throughout.

“He was a head scratcher,” Turnbull said.

“He pulled up big, so we have been a bit tougher on him and he’s running back a bit sooner.

“He’s going to have this and then head to Tasmania for the Cups over there.”