Ciaron Maher sets sights on the Easter Cup

Following his Australian Cup triumph last weekend, Ciaron Maher is setting his sights on another major 2000-metre race, this time at Caulfield.

After claiming victory with Light Infantry Man in the Australian Cup, Victoria’s leading trainer is preparing a strong team for the Group 3 Easter Cup, where he is expected to have multiple runners in the field.

Future History and Night Endeavour are confirmed starters, while Normandy Bridge and Port Philip have also been entered for the $200,000 event.

Maher’s assistant trainer, Jack Turnbull, revealed that Future History was initially targeting the Australian Cup. However, after finishing seventh in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) and fifth in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m), the decision was made to adjust his path.

“Initially, the Australian Cup was his plan, but we just thought last start he really didn’t do enough to warrant going there, especially given what was going to go there,” Turnbull said.

“He can run there and then go to the Mornington Cup if we want to go to 2400, otherwise we can head up to Sydney and run through there.”

Meanwhile, Night Endeavour is making his return after a disappointing run at Sandown on February 1. Despite that, Turnbull said the team is encouraged by his recent performance in a 1400m jumpout at Cranbourne on March 17, where he finished second.

“He’s coming back off a freshen, he was never out of work, but he went to Ballarat and had a change of scenery where he was on a grass paddock but still ticking over,” Turnbull said.

“He’s had a nice little jumpout and a couple of gallops, so he’ll head to the Easter Cup.”

Maher’s runners are among 25 nominations for the Easter Cup, with promising three-year-old filly Cilacap also in the mix.

The Easter Cup is one of two $200,000 Group 3 features on the Caulfield card, alongside the 1400m Victoria Handicap. That race has drawn several strong contenders, including former Caulfield Guineas winner Golden Mile, along with Chorlton Lane, Jennilala, Miss Aria, Regal Zeus, Roll On High, and Superazi.