Maher pair on Desirable Stakes quest

The Ciaron Maher stable remains firmly in contention for Australian Guineas success with talented filly Another Prophet.

The daughter of Brazen Beau will take another step toward her Group 1 goal over 1600m at Flemington on March 1 when she lines up for her second start this campaign in the Listed Desirable Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Saturday.

Another Prophet capped off her spring campaign in style last November, claiming victory in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield against fellow fillies. She made her seasonal return at Sandown on January 25, finishing a close fourth behind Royal Insignia, who now heads into the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) as the leading contender.

Jack Turnbull, assistant trainer for Maher’s Cranbourne base, is eager to see Another Prophet back in action against the fillies on Saturday, even with the challenge of carrying 59.5kg.

“She is the Thousand Guineas winner that returned against the boys in the Manfred Stakes and was very good at Sandown,” Turnbull said.

“She had a small amount of room on the fence and dashed up pretty well.

“We’re looking forward to seeing her out there again.”

Another Prophet won’t be the stable’s sole representative in the race, as Maher also saddles up Qatars Choice for her Melbourne debut.

Previously racing exclusively in Sydney, Qatars Choice broke her maiden at Warwick Farm on New Year’s Day before finishing second in a benchmark 72 event at Randwick on January 25.

“She is a lighter-framed horse but can gallop, and she had no luck last time,” Turnbull said.

“Hopefully they can both run well and continue through Stakes races, but we’re hoping to get Another Prophet to the Australian Guineas.”