Maher confident in Semana’s G1 Coolmore Classic prospects
Ciaron Maher already has one Coolmore Classic trophy on his mantlepiece, and he believes emerging mare Semana has the credentials to deliver him another.
Maher and former training partner David Eustace captured the race two years ago with Lighthouse and Maher says Semana is just as talented as the American import.
“Every bit I think,” Maher said.
“I toyed with the idea of running her in the Orr (Stakes)…. but then I gave myself an uppercut and thought I’d go to the handicap Group One, it would suit her better.
“I think she is that sort of level.”
Lighthouse had finished runner-up in the CF Orr Stakes and Canterbury Stakes prior to winning the Coolmore Classic in 2022.
Semana hasn’t been to that level yet, but with seven wins from 15 starts she is building an imposing strikerate and arrives at Saturday’s feature off the back of a brace of wins.
After comfortably claiming the Magic Millions Fillies and Mares (1400m) in January, she made a successful leap into Group 3 grade with a strong victory in the Triscay Stakes (1200m) last month.
While she enjoyed an unimpeded run down the outside to score, Maher still felt Semana did an outstanding job to handle the drop in distance and get the job done.
“She was super at the Magic Millions and then even back at 12 (1200 metres) the other day, she was fantastic,” Maher said.
“Things did pan out for her, but she is just improving with every start.
“This has been the plan for a while, to get into that handicap race.”
Semana will be one of three Maher-trained runners in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) along with Yonce and Jennilala, who are both last start winners in Melbourne.
Semana is the most fancied of the trio at $8.50 with the Chris Waller-trained Zougotcha a $4.20 favourite.
A final field of 18 was paid up for the feature on Wednesday with three fillies among the acceptances – Tropical Squall , Kimochi and Barby’s Doll – all striving to become the first three-year-old to upset the mares since Typhoon Tracy in 2009.
More Racing News
Michael Freedman seals brilliant day with Cinsault's stakes success
Michael Freedman's bold "Hail Mary" gamble succeeded when his peak-condition mare Cinsault claimed stakes company for the first time in the Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) held at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday.Owned by Godolphin, Cinsault had previously notched three wins from four summer starts in lesser company prior to Freedman entering...
Oakleigh Plate victory makes Sam Freedman's 30th birthday special via Tropicus
Tropicus gave trainer Sam Freedman a memorable Group 1 present on his 30th birthday.This four-year-old Too Darn Hot gelding claimed his debut top-flight win by powering clear of competitors in the $750,000 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) held at Caulfield on Saturday.Freedman and his father Anthony, co-trainers, had Tropicus as their secondary...
Ninja lands Hobartville Stakes after tough Magic Millions run
Putting the agony of an unfortunate defeat in the Magic Millions Guineas behind him, Ninja has notched up wins against prominent foes to capture the Group Two Hobartville Stakes at Rosehill.In his last start at the Gold Coast, the colt raced wide due to his outside gate but battled gamely,...
Streisand triumphs in Caulfield's Blue Diamond Stakes
Clinton McDonald has reclaimed his status as 'King of the Kids' for the second time in three years, courtesy of Streisand's victory in Victoria's leading two-year-old event at Caulfield.The trainer took the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) two years back with the tragic Hayasugi, and it was again a...
Ambitious plans ahead for Piggyback following Rosehill success
Consistent long-distance runner Piggyback has positioned herself for a potential Group One weight-for-age challenge during autumn after a dominant performance in the Parramatta Cup at Rosehill.Assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord to Ciaron Maher indicated various paths forward for the five-year-old mare, among them the Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill come March...
Futurity Stakes delivers Pericles breakthrough Group 1 success
The resilient gelding Pericles shed his Group 1 maiden status by grabbing a well-deserved top-level victory in the $750,000 Futurity Stakes on Saturday at Caulfield.Six heartbreaking placings at the highest grade—including a runner-up effort in the Futurity Stakes two seasons prior—were put behind him as the Street Boss six-year-old saluted...
Dominant Silver Slipper win catapults Stretan Ruler towards Golden Slipper
Phillip Stokes, the Pakenham trainer, admitted to getting disoriented at Rosehill Gardens, yet his exceptional colt Stretan Ruler navigated straight to an authoritative triumph in Saturday's Group 2 $300,000 Silver Slipper (1100m).Stretan Ruler demanded respect by blistering around the 1100m in 1:03.64s, finishing 3-1/2 lengths clear of Sydney's leading juveniles."I...
Buckaroo welcomes Jye McNeil for Futurity Stakes return
Cox Plate placegetter Buckaroo will have jockey Jye McNeil back on board for his opening outing of the autumn series at Caulfield.The gelding heads into the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday, piloted by McNeil.In the gelding's tally of 31 career starts, McNeil has only been aboard...
Walker team warming to Geegees Mistruth ahead of Caulfield feature
Mark Walker's Cranbourne stable has developed an increasing fondness for Geegees Mistruth the longer she has been in their care.The four-year-old, bred in Tasmania, transferred to the Walker outfit last spring following preparation by Stuart Gandy.With six successes in 15 races, Geegees Mistruth remains without a mainland triumph, but hopes...
Berry confident in Ninja's Hobartville Stakes bid
Premier jockey Tommy Berry reckons a Queensland summer campaign has reshaped the previously unruly Ninja, placing his trust in the gelding to match the top three-year-olds at Rosehill.During his Queensland stint, Ninja raced three times, claiming victory in the Vo Rogue Plate (1300m) at Eagle Farm and battling from a...