Point Of Law was an emphatic winner of the Lexus Melbourne Gold Cup, leading home a 1-2-3 for trainer Ciaron Maher.

Sons And Lovers was the first of Joseph O'Brien’s five-strong contingent to finish, coming home in fourth place.

James J Braddock finished back in seventh place, as Maher claimed the other five slots in the top seven.

Having claimed the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket in July for John and Thady Gosden in the colours of King Charles and Queen Camilla, Point Of Law was bought privately by Australian owners in a deal initiated by Maher when he met the British royal couple at Royal Ascot.

In winning the Geelong Cup on his first start for Maher, he was immediately promoted to favouritism and came in at 11/2 with Ethan Brown on board.

Point Of Law was made to work for victory by Royal Supremacy, who at one stage led by 15 lengths before fading in the final furlong.

Maher trained the first three home, with 22/1 shot Zahrann second and Juja Kibo third. Zahrann was formerly trained by Johnny Murtagh and Juja Kibo began his career with Limerick trainer Richard O'Brien.

Maher said: "It’s been a whirlwind really.

"I’m very proud of all the team – to get three horses in the first three spots."

Brown said: "I just tried to stay cool and stay patient, cut the bend and once he got that clear run in, his turn of foot was enormous.

"He’s going to be a superstar horse, he’s something special."

Joseph O'Brien's Trustyourinstinct, Kizlyar and Goodie Two Shoes all finished back down the field, with Defiantly having withdrawn pre-race after a vet inspection.

Point Of Law is a three-year-old by Frankel and is the first foal out of Portfolio, a Japanese-bred mare by Deep Impact who was trained for the late Queen Elizabeth II by Sir Michael Stoute. She won twice over 10 furlongs and was listed-placed over a mile and a half.

A total of 23 runners went to post following the late withdrawal of the Chris Waller-trained Asterix by the stewards when it was reported that an unauthorised substance was applied to the horse's forelegs on the morning of the race.

The stewards accepted that the medication was applied in error by a member of Waller's staff but still imposed a $50,000 fine and scratched the horse from the race.