With Maher and David Eustace saddling up four runners, Floating Artist ran exceptionally to finish fourth, a year after Persan ran fifth in the race.
Ridden by Lexus Melbourne Cup debutant Teo Nugent, Floating Artist was beaten by 4.6 lengths by winner Verry Elleegant.
Grand Promenade (sixth), Explosive Jack (15th) and Persan (20th) rounded out the stable's team.
"Teo did a bit of work early but ended up getting a nice trail. He has run super at a low weight," Maher said.
"Kerrin McEvoy was full of praise for (Grand Promenade as well). He pulled up super and said you can't do that and win a Lexus Melbourne Cup. So he didn't get the luck.
"We are getting closer (to a win). (So) for sure (we will be back in 2022)."
Nugent described Floating Artist's performance as 'super'.
"Every time we've raised the bar with this horse, he measures up and landed in a beautiful spot out of the gates. We followed Incentivise and he travelled so strong the whole way," said Nugent.
"I thought at the top of the straight that he gave a lovely kick for me and he's run a very good fourth. I've very happy with him."
McEvoy was left to lament a wide run on Grand Promenade, who stuck on well despite the tough journey.
"He's run a good race. We didn't have any luck. Got caught wide the trip but he stuck on well," McEvoy said.
