Ciaron Maher eyes Turnbull Stakes success with a strong team

As the AFL Grand Final concludes, the racing spotlight in Melbourne shifts to Flemington, marking a significant day in the spring carnival.

The Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) on Saturday is particularly crucial, with its results often shaping the outcomes of major races later in the spring season.

The 2024 winner, Via Sistina, went on to claim the Cox Plate that year, while Smokin' Romans, the year prior, was sent out as the favourite for the Caulfield Cup following his Turnbull victory.

Incentivise (2021) and Verry Elleegant (2020) both subsequently won the Caulfield Cup after their Turnbull wins, and Winx (2017-2018) also claimed the Turnbull on her path to Cox Plate success.

Sir Delius was the winner of last year's Turnbull and was considered a top contender for the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup until injury concerns emerged after scans.

Half Yours finished fourth in last year's Turnbull before going on to win the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups double. Ciaron Maher is now aiming for a similar result with Zahrann, who secured a Caulfield Cup start by winning the Naturalism Stakes, mirroring Half Yours's preparation.

The victory in the Naturalism Stakes at Caulfield on September 19 provided Zahrann with a ballot exemption for the Caulfield Cup on October 17, and Maher indicated he was pleased to replicate the path taken by Half Yours.

"That was the path we had set out for him," Maher said.

"He was only second up (in the Naturalism), he's a colt, and if he can go to the Turnbull and run well, and win, even better.

"He's a Night Of Thunder colt, so if he was able to win at Flemington, it would be ideal."

Zahrann represents one of five runners Ciaron Maher has entered for the Saturday race at Flemington.

Joining Zahrann in the field are Light Infantry Man, Middle Earth, Saint George, and Kings Valley.

Saint George secured second place behind Zahrann at Caulfield last start, while Kings Valley finished seventh in the same race.

"Saint George was super the other day, Kings Valley was super also," Maher stated.

"Kings Valley has improvement to come, looks wise, and ability wise, and I think he can.

"George, with three kilos more, was, facts and figures wise, as good, or better."

Middle Earth is coming off a seventh-place finish in the Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on September 19, and Maher mentioned that the horse is progressing well. Light Infantry Man, who finished eighth behind Sheza Alibi in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on September 12, is expected to perform better with the increased distance.

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