Maher fillies to press 2025 Thousand Guineas claims

Ciaron Maher’s team will be on show at Moonee Valley this weekend with Cherish Me and Exit, two fillies being primed for the Thousand Guineas (1600m), taking their next steps towards spring goals.

Cherish Me resumes in the Drummond Golf Plate (1200m), while stablemate Exit goes around in the Manhari Handicap (1523m). Though lightly raced, both three-year-olds have shown the talent to warrant a path towards feature mile races later this year.

After finishing sixth on return at Caulfield behind Ole Dancer, Cherish Me has since impressed in a Cranbourne jumpout with blinkers. “She was just OK first-up, she travelled in patches and did a lot wrong, so she’s had a jumpout with blinkers and went very good,” assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said. “She was nice and sharp, had another piece on Tuesday morning with them on and in a small field, (she’s) ready to go. We think she’s a Thousand Guineas prospect. She probably goes to the Jim Moloney (Stakes) after Saturday, win lose or draw, and then you moulding her into that seven to eight-furlong type of horse.”

The Listed Jim Moloney Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 20 is the next likely stop for the Brazen Beau filly.

Exit, who started odds-on favourite at Flemington last start before being edged out by Chris Waller’s Crossbow, will relish the extra ground at The Valley. “She just needs that little bit of extra distance now, but finds a winnable race again,” Turnbull said. “I don’t think she would lose any admirers (from last start), I certainly haven’t, and I expect her to run well again Saturday.”

Mark Zahra takes the ride on Exit, while Tom Stockdale teams with Cherish Me, both fillies well regarded in early betting markets.