Ciaron Maher admits his eyes will be firmly fixed on the sectionals during Saturday’s Group One Australian Cup when Craig Newitt will again be out to secure victory aboard Trelawney Stud bred Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai).
A clash with fellow front-runner Deny Knowledge sets up for a genuinely run 2000-metre contest as Maher’s mare seeks redemption after finishing second to Cascadian in the same race last year.
“They have a similar running style, but Jenni does seem that little more tractable and with each prep she’s got that little bit softer, if you could say that about her,” Maher said of racing against Deny Knowledge.
“Tactically it will be interesting again.
“It’s often underrated how tough it is to get them fractions spot on.
“I thought Froggy (Newitt) did it perfectly the other day and Dec (Bates) he just did it time and time again.
“Half a second is a lot and getting those even, smooth sectionals and first half right and unleashing her is underrated, it takes a bit of doing.”
While much of Maher’s attention might be focused on the front of the field, he has the horses on the second and third line of betting as well, including imported galloper Middle Earth, who won the Australian Cup Prelude at his Aussie debut.
Maher said the work of the dual UK Stakes winner on Monday suggests he has remained sharp enough for the 2000m second-up.
“He has only improved after a long time off,” Maher said.
“I think the horse is furnishing, he was quite young and immature when he came over.
“He will need to be at his best with a stronger field.”
Light Infantry Man might be the stable’s third-best chance according to the market, but Maher says the Gr.1 Northerly Stakes winner shouldn’t be taken lightly.
“I have been rapt with him all prep, I was rapt with him going into the All-Star Mile and I loved the way he’s come out of it and I know he loves Flemington,” he said.
Maher will also saddle up Berkshire Breeze in the Roy Higgins, while Duke de Sessa heads to Sydney for his target race of the campaign, the Gr.1 Tancred Stakes.
