Future History on weather watch ahead of 2026 January Cup
Ciaron Maher is keeping his options open with in-form stayer Future History as Saturday’s Listed January Cup (2000m) at Rosehill approaches.
The veteran gelding has struck peak form with Listed victories at Randwick and Flemington, but Maher said the drop back to 2000 metres combined with possible rain in Sydney could see him diverted.
“I’ve got to work out what I’m going to do for the race,” Maher said.
“I’m sort of targeting him at next week, and I’ll work out whether I’m backing him up or not.”
Attention could instead turn to Monday week’s Listed Australia Day Cup (2400m) at Warwick Farm, with Future History coming off a strong win in the Bagot Handicap (2800m).
“It depends on the race shape. If he leads, it doesn’t matter how far the race is,” Maher said.
“You question whether he’d go 2800 (metres) before last run, but when they just canter along, it doesn’t matter whether it’s 2000 or 3000 (metres).
“It’s just whether the race shape works for him because he likes to dictate and get his own way.”
With rain predicted to fall across Sydney on Saturday, Maher will inspect the surface carefully for the 61kg topweight, who sits at $4.60 in early markets with Nash Rawiller aboard.
As conditions firm or deteriorate, punters can track January Cup betting markets through trusted betting platforms.
“You could run him every day, one hundred per cent,” Maher said.
“It just depends on the track, if it’s wet I’ll probably just pull him out.”
The post Future History on weather watch ahead of January Cup first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
More Racing News
Deakin gears up for Caulfield Cup start
Deakin is poised to launch his Caulfield Cup campaign with his initial outing at Caulfield this Saturday.With the Melbourne Cup now out of contention for the French-bred stayer, trainer Phillip and Tommy Stokes are singularly focused on Deakin's preparation.The Listed Heatherlie Stakes (1700m) on Saturday marks the beginning, leading into...
King Charles III Stakes is the target for Autumn Glow
The decision regarding Autumn Glow's primary spring carnival objective has been announced by owner John Messara and trainer Chris Waller, bringing an end to months of speculation.Having been awarded Australian Horse of the Year at the Racing Night of Champions ceremony in Sydney on Thursday evening, Autumn Glow had attracted...
Jimmysstar ready for Melbourne return in Memsie Stakes
Jimmysstar is slated to make one of his infrequent Victorian appearances, commencing his spring campaign at Caulfield in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes.The Ciaron Maher-trained galloper has been a consistent performer and a significant money-earner for the stable, boasting over $8.8 million in prize money from 11 wins and nine...
Morphettville beckons for project galloper Chief Little Rock
It's never a simple task to refine a horse that has previously been under the guidance of Irish racing luminary Aidan O'Brien.However, this is precisely the undertaking for Ballarat trainer Patrick Kearney with Chief Little Rock, a galloper formerly owned by Lloyd and Nick Williams and with a prior connection...
Revengeance primed for spring campaign start
Adrian Bott is anticipating a profitable spring carnival outcome from his patient approach with the returning galloper Revengeance, who is set to make his reappearance in the San Domenico Stakes at Rosehill.The colt was sidelined from the autumn carnival after a knee surgery to remove bone chips, an issue that...
Untapped colt Southend's spring targets remain flexible
According to Sterling Alexiou, the team is still in the process of understanding the untapped colt Southend. The early stages of his campaign will be crucial in shaping his spring racing plans.The three-year-old is set to resume in the Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes over 1400m at Rosehill this...
Another Wil targets confidence boost at Caulfield
Ciaron Maher, the trainer, along with the connections of Another Wil, are hopeful of securing a confidence-boosting victory at Caulfield.Instead of contesting a more prestigious race like the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) on Saturday, Another Wil is slated to compete in the Evergreen Turf Handicap, also over 1400 metres.It...
Gavin Bedggood well-positioned for Heatherlie Stakes
Trainer Gavin Bedggood from Cranbourne appears to have all bases covered regarding track conditions for his two contenders in the upcoming Heatherlie Stakes at Caulfield.The Listed 1700-metre handicap on Saturday will feature Kingswood, who is first-up, and the race-fit Just Folk.Bedggood expressed a preference for drier ground for Kingswood, whereas...
Althoff's spring campaign plans are flexible
In-form gelding Althoff is currently positioned as the fourth favourite in early markets for the Group 1 Epsom Handicap, though his connections are still assessing his suitability as a genuine miler.The five-year-old, owned by the Yulong family and a winner up to 1400m, recorded a fifth-place finish in the 2024...
Tom Kitten set for second Memsie Stakes attempt
The Anthony and Sam Freedman stable is targeting a better outcome for Tom Kitten in the upcoming Memsie Stakes at Caulfield.A year ago, Tom Kitten was a late withdrawal from the Group 1 race over 1400 metres after becoming unsettled in the barriers.This incident impacted Tom Kitten's spring campaign, with...