Maharba down to contest the Poseidon Stakes

Trainer Grahame Begg has stepped away from his usual pattern ahead of the return run of Maharba at Flemington.

Maharba is down to contest the Listed Poseidon Stakes (1100m) on Saturday after Begg gave the gelding a jump-out at Cranbourne on Monday.

After a trial and a jump-out at Cranbourne last month, Begg felt Maharba needed another more solid hit-out ahead of Saturday’s return.

“The way it worked out, it was going to be too long between jump-outs,” Begg said.

“He jumped out over three weeks ago and it was going to be nearly a month between his last jump-out and the race on Saturday.

“I thought I had to gallop him somewhere anyway, so I thought why not give him a jump-out.”

While successful in the 800m jump-out on Monday, Begg said Maharba was kept under a tight hold throughout the workout.

“It wasn’t a hard jump-out,” Begg said.

“The track was very wet, which he doesn’t like, but he was on the bridle throughout, so he had as soft a jump-out as possible.”

Maharba won first-up over Saturday’s course and distance in the autumn before heading to Sydney where he finished second to Golden Slipper winner Shinzo in the Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes (1200m).

After finishing sixth in the Group 1 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on April 1, Maharba was turned out for a spell.

While Maharba has had the three jump-outs and plenty of work to have him fit for Saturday, Begg said there was improvement to come.

“We’re happy with how he has come up, but no doubt he’s going to improve with the run,” Begg said.

“I’m sure he’ll run well, but it’s a highly competitive race.”

Following Saturday’s first-up assignment, Begg is planning a return to Flemington for the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1100m) on October 7 before the Listed Gothic Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield two weeks later.

If Maharba’s form warrants it, he will then progress on to the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on November 4.

“Otherwise, we can be a fringe player, but we’re hopeful,” Begg said.

“He’s always show good ability.”