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
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Mile test for Harry’s Yacht in 2026 Vobis Gold Reef
Will Larkin is confident the timing is right to test Harry’s Yacht over the mile when the gelding contests Saturday’s Vobis Gold Reef at Flemington. The four-year-old has enjoyed a strong preparation to date, registering two wins at benchmark level and adding two placings in Vobis races over 1200 metres. Training in...