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 has been a period of just over 18 months since Another Wil last achieved a win, which was in the Group 1 C F Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield. This marked one of his nine victories from 21 starts, and notably, three of those wins have come from six attempts at the course and distance.
Maher expressed that horses, much like human athletes, draw confidence from success, and he is aiming for such a scenario on Saturday.
"They thrive off it," Maher commented. "That would be ideal and there's a nice program that he can go back to at Group 1 level and hopefully he can do what we think he can do."
There has long been an expectation that Another Wil possesses Group 1 calibre, with a hint of this ability shown during the Brisbane winter carnival.
After finding the 1200m distance too short in the Doomben 10,000 when he resumed, Another Wil went on to finish fourth in the Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) before a last-place finish in the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm in June.
The 2kg apprentice claim from the in-form Jabez Johnstone also played a crucial role in Maher's decision to opt for Saturday's race.
"His first two runs were good in Queensland, his third one was not as good on the wet track," Maher observed. "He's in very good order, has come up well and I just thought that 1400-metre benchmark 100, with a good record at the trip and at Caulfield and Jabez can claim off him as well. He'll get in with 60 kilos, and he would be pretty well handicapped off that."
Following Saturday's engagement, Maher stated that the intention is to step back up to a higher class of racing, with a variety of options available for the gelding.
Consider exploring online bookmakers for the latest racing odds on Another Wil's upcoming race.
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