Maher loads 2024 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes bases

Ciaron Maher missed out on a Group 1 during Flemington’s Melbourne Cup Carnival, but the star trainer has loaded the bases in his quest to win the final Group 1 of the year on the eastern seaboard.

Maher will start three horses in the $1 million Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, Southport Tycoon, Another Wil and Jimmysstar, with the trio heading betting on the 1400-metre handicap.

Jimmysstar and Another Wil are fighting our favouritism in what will be a rematch of their clash in The Damien Oliver on Derby Day and Maher is struggling to split the pair.

Both entered that race the winners of seven races, Another Wil from 11 starts and Jimmysstar from 12 outings, and while Another Wil had the better of Jimmysstar to the tune of 1-1/4 lengths that day, Saturday’s race presents a different scenario.

Jimmysstar meets Another Will 1.5kg better for the defeat and has the inside alley with Another Wil drawn gate five.

“Another Wil was always going to get the better run that day and it looked like he (Jimmysstar) had the momentum, then Another Wil let go,”

“If you look at their records, there’s nothing between them, they’re both very good horses.”

The Damien Oliver was Another Wil’s first start since failing as $2.20 favourite in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m), having also been beaten as favourite in this year’s Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m), but Saturday’s race will be Jimmysstar’s first crack at the highest level.

He impressively won his two starts prior to The Damien Oliver and Maher said the Per Incanto five-year-old had come of age this campaign.

“He just mentally wasn’t there, he always had the ability,” Maher said of Jimmysstar.

“I was always confident with a break he would bounce back and bounce back he has.”

Southport Tycoon is the one of Maher’s team who already has won at the highest level, having claimed the Australian Guineas (1600m) last campaign before Manikato Stakes (1200m) earlier this preparation, and that entire will be under different colours on Saturday.

The son of Written Tycoon, who is the 58kg topweight and will start from barrier 13, will sport the Qatar Bloodstock colours with Sheikh Fahad Al Thani’s operation joining Widden Stud among the ownership group.

“He’s got a new ownership group, Qatar Bloodstock, His Highness bought into him, which is good and he races in their colours,” Maher said.

“He’s a very good horse, he goes well around there (Caulfield) and it’s hard to see how the race will unfold, but they’re three very good chances.”

Mark Zahra will be aboard Southport Tycoon with Jamie Kah retaining her association with Another Wil, while Damian Lane replaces Blake Shinn aboard Jimmysstar.