Ciaron Maher will saddle a strong team in Saturday’s $6 million Caulfield Cup, but admits preparations haven’t been smooth sailing for his leading chances.
Zahrann and St George, who are $6 and $9 respectively for the Caulfield Cup, finished well down the track in the gruelling Turnbull Stakes on heavy ground last start, and Maher takes the blame.
“I think I got it wrong going into that race with both of them,” he said.
“We have got back on track, so forget that run.
“We changed a few things with Zahrann [a tongue-tie goes on] and I think he will be back to the horse that won the Naturalism.
“St George gets to a trip where he will be much better suited.”
Zahrann received a significant vote of confidence from jockey Ethan Brown, who is getting down to 53kg and gave up the ride on Jimmysstar in The Everest to stay in Melbourne.
“I galloped him [on Tuesday] and he is very well,” Brown said.
“Come Saturday, he will find his best, I have no doubt about that.”
The Metropolitan winner Royal Supremacy is a $15 chance, while Kings Valley and Middle Earth are both at $26.
“I think Royal Supremacy is the best he has been since he came to us,” Maher said.
“His JRA Cup win was very good last time and he gets back out to 2400m. I actually thought he had got in very well at the weights as well.
“Middle Earth has been focused on the Melbourne Cup, and I like the way he is building as he gets up in distance, he will continue to improve.”
Maher has won both Caulfield Cup ballot-exemption races, with Zahrann defeating St George in the Naturalism Stakes and Kings Valley taking out the Mornington Cup earlier this year.
“Everything has been focused on this race since that win in April,” Maher said.
“He has no weight, and it’s a great opportunity for Jabez [Johnstone] in a big race.”
