Distance the key for Future History in 2025 Bagot Handicap
Future History’s resurgence has come from resisting the temptation to stretch him to extreme distances, with Ciaron Maher’s team confident that approach can deliver another victory at Flemington.
A former Melbourne Cup runner in 2023, the seven-year-old now returns to the Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m) after proving his effectiveness over shorter staying trips.
Future History snapped a lengthy winless run when taking out the Listed Christmas Cup (2400m) at Randwick earlier this month, having last tasted success in the Group 3 JRA Cup at Moonee Valley in October 2024.
“He was very good last start,” Maher’s national assistant Jack Turnbull said.
“He was back to the form from his early days when he won the Bart Cummings as a three-year-old.
“He is very fit and can go forward, roll along and if he gets the right race shape he is our best seed in it.”
Turnbull acknowledged it has taken persistence to bring the stayer back to peak condition.
“It has been a bit of a process getting him back to winning form and he has threatened,” Turnbull said.
“It was a tough effort last start. They came at him a few times and he kept grinding away. That is a race that he really likes, to fend them off and he stays on.
“We know he doesn’t get the two miles but if he gets it nice enough from the 2800 he should be fine.”
Maher’s record in staying races is well established, although the Bagot has only fallen his way once, with San Huberto in 2023.
Future History is one of several Maher runners engaged, alongside Interpretation and Strawberry Rock, the latter fresh off his 2025 Group 3 Hobart Cup success.
“Interpretation is a bit of an enigma but he’s a great horse to train in that he’s danced every dance but doesn’t win out of turn,” Turnbull said.
“He ran a cracker in the Bendigo Cup and he loves Flemington. He’s the most dour stayer we have and this is his trip.
“With his age and rating there are only two or three races that he can run well in and win, and this is one of them.”
Current odds and betting information for the Bagot Handicap are available via the Australian betting sites list.
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