Custom gets extra time ahead of Courtza Stakes challenge
The unpredictability of racing was certainly evident for those who backed Custom in her last start.
Godolphin's four-year-old mare, prepared by Ciaron Maher, was the short-priced favourite at Caulfield Heath for her most recent run on August 8.
This strong market support followed an impressive three-length win at Caulfield over 1200 metres on July 25, which itself was preceded by a second-place finish on debut at Caulfield, also over 1200 metres, four weeks earlier.
The Maher stable gained valuable insights from Custom's defeat and have put measures in place to avoid racing her again so quickly after a significant effort.
Custom will be back in action this Saturday to compete in the Group 3 Courtza Stakes over 1200 metres at Caulfield, a return to feature race company.
The Street Boss filly has a prior Listed placing and finished just outside the placings at Group 3 level when she was a three-year-old.
Maher is aware that Saturday's assignment is a step up in class, but he believes Custom is a stronger mare now and warrants the opportunity.
The trainer took advantage of the Caulfield track on Tuesday morning, where a gallop gave Maher the conviction to commit to Saturday's Group 3 event.
"She worked well and she is a nice horse," Maher commented.
"It was a bit disappointing last time, but she ran a huge peak second-up and then running her back two weeks (later), it can be, off a peak, hard to do.
"She didn't get the smoothest flow in running, but she's at that level and it is worth a shot."
Maher has engaged Ethan Brown, who has recently concluded a stint in Hong Kong, to ride Custom on Saturday, taking over from apprentice Jabez Johnstone for the non-claiming race.
The Maher stable also has Salty Pearl slated to race on Saturday.
Salty Pearl makes her seasonal debut on Saturday, following a third in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill and a fifth to Panova in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville in April.
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