Easter Cup tilt for Ciaron Maher pair at Caulfield
The Ciaron Maher stable will head to a Stakes race at Caulfield with a two-pronged attack.
The Group 3 Easter Cup (2000m) on Saturday will feature Future History and Jennilala.
Future History heads to Saturday’s contest having had one start since finishing 15th in last year’s Melbourne Cup behind Without A Fight.
Maher was delighted with the first-up run of Future History in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on March 2, pointing out the race was far too short.
He is expecting the 2000m journey on Saturday to be ideal for the gelding’s second-up outing.
“I’m rapt with him,” Maher said.
“I thought he was massive unders first-up given the race was a mile, but I thought he ran really well, and he’s come on since.
“The 2000 metres will be much more to his liking.”
A former French galloper, Future History progressed through the winter last year to win The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington to earn himself a start in the Melbourne Cup field.
Maher said Saturday’s outing was another building block on the road to fitness ahead of another step up in distance.
“He’s building towards a mile-and-a-half and potentially a trip to Brisbane,” Maher said.
“He’s going well.”
Joining Future History in the Easter Cup will be Jennilala who is returning from a trip to Sydney.
Raced in the same colours as stablemate Pride Of Jenni, Jennilala was a last start sixth in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill.
At her previous start, Jennilala was successful first-up over 1400m at Flemington.
Jennilala’s last appearance at 2000m was when third in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks at Morphettville just shy of 12 months ago.
“She’s back down here and looks ready for the 2000 metres,” Maher said.
More Racing News
Opal Ridge signals Queensland carnival intentions in Ortensia Stakes
A relieved Luke Pepper will press on to the Queensland winter carnival with renewed confidence after an underdone Opal Ridge maintained her perfect home track record with a classy victory in the Ortensia Stakes at Scone. Pepper admitted to some pre-race anxiety given Opal Ridge hadn’t raced since November, but he banked on...
Lloyd keeps his cool as Cindy collects Dark Jewel Classic
A composed ride from Zac Lloyd has helped Fall For Cindy post an invaluable Group Three win, the star apprentice keeping his cool despite having to throw the script out the window shortly after the start. Lloyd had hoped to settle the John O’Shea-trained mare in the first half of the field and...
Bella Nipotina beats I Wish I Win in the Doomben 10,000
Ciaron Maher has been left to marvel at the tenacity of bonny mare Bella Nipotina, who has overcome a busy travel schedule to upset I Wish I Win in the $1.5 million Doomben 10,000. Kicking off her preparation in Melbourne, Bella Nipotina was narrowly edged out by Chain Of Lightning in the T J...
Draw favours Who Dares in The Straight Six
Who Dares has finally lived up to the lofty expectations placed on him winning a Stakes race at Flemington. The Listed Straight Six (1200m) on Saturday fell the way of the heavily supported gelding, prepared at Mornington by Pat Carey and Harris Walker. Sent out the $3.30 favourite under Patrick Moloney, Who Dares scored...
The Map lands a Melbourne Cup berth
Six months of planning has paid off with The Map earning a ‘Golden Ticket’ into the Melbourne Cup. The Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday grants the winner a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) in November. Trainers Dan Clarken and Oopy Macgillivray planned their assault on Saturday’s...
‘Cheeky’ Attractable ready to roll in the Scone Cup
Attractable has been keeping trainer Sara Ryan on her toes in the lead-up to the Scone Cup and when he is causing mischief on the training track, it usually equates to a bold race day performance. “He’s very much a confidence horse. He thrives off being confident and happy and you know when...
Bool battler chasing a Melbourne Cup dream
The self-proclaimed little bogan from the Bool with the bargain battler $5000 horse is chasing the dream of a Melbourne Cup start at Flemington. Patrick Ryan Jnr and his stayer Ferago head to the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) in search of a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington...
Shall Samuel and Twain meet in the Melbourne Cup?
To breed one Melbourne Cup runner is an achievement, but to have two in the same race from the one family is something not many can boast. But that’s the dream Gail Temperton and Stan Alexander are hoping to realise this year and Samuel Langhorne can take a giant step towards making...
Joyful Fortune returns for The Straight Six contest
Former Hong Kong galloper Joyful Fortune is set to renew acquaintances with the Flemington straight in his first run for the Ciaron Maher stable. Joyful Fortune was unbeaten in two starts on the Flemington straight when prepared by Sydney conditioner Mark Newnham. With Newnham now based in Hong Kong, Joyful Fortune will have his...
Local mare to launch carnival mission in Ortensia Stakes
Luke Pepper believes the best is still ahead for dual stakes winner Opal Ridge, who will be chasing her second feature race win at Scone in as many years when she resumes in the Ortensia Stakes. The talented mare was triumphant in the Luskin Star Stakes (1300m) on the corresponding program 12...