Ciaron Maher says he heard his fair share of people questioning why he set Coolangatta for the Group 1 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.
With just five previous starts from his three-year-old filly, it would only be natural to doubt whether she’d be up to the test.
But one of those previous starts was a victory in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic on the Gold Coast on January 15.
And you can never doubt a champion trainer.
Coolangatta was expertly ridden by Jamie Kah to salute by half a length over stablemate Bella Nipotina.
Kah fully utilised barrier one, and the fact her mount and $6.50 winning chance with Palmerbet was carrying just 50kg.
“It was fantastic. Super job by the team,” Maher told racing.com.
“There were a lot of doubters who said ‘why are you putting a three-year-old filly in a race like that against those hardened sprinters?’
“I was very confident in the horse. I knew the way she pulled up the other day (third in the McEwen Stakes on September 3) – she had a tough run, but she pulled up very, very well.”
Maher was full of praise for Kah, who recorded her seventh Group 1 victory.
“There aren’t too many jockeys who can ride at 50kg and as well as her, or at any weight,” he said.
“I thought she’d be sitting behind one, and she took the initiative. She took the luck out of the race, and full credit to her and the team.
“They’ve done a fantastic job with her, and it’s just a massive thrill to get a horse this early in her career to win a Group 1 like that.”
Kah said finally notching up her seventh Group 1 triumph was worth the wait because she got to do it aboard such a talented filly.
“It was very much worth it. It’s just so special. It’s been a long time in between drinks since my last Group 1,” she said.
“They’re just so hard to win, and when you’re on Ciaron’s horses it’s a lot easier because, God, he’s got some good horses running at the moment.
“When I saw Bella coming towards me I thought ‘oh c’mon, just let me have this one’. God, she was tough.
“When she (Coolangatta) jumped two in front, she was just too strong.
“With the weight on her back I was pretty happy when I was cruising along in front.
“It’s hard to do what she did going against the older horses. She’s a star and I’m just happy to get on her at the right time.”
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