Tassie Treble? Maher unleashes Dad and Dave plus a UK stayer in Cups raid

Top Victorian trainer Ciaron Maher will launch his assault on the Tasmanian Summer Racing Festival with promising three-year-old stayer Dad and Dave in the Launceston Guineas over 2000m in Launceston on Wednesday night.

Maher has enjoyed a lot of success in Tasmania in recent years and the stable is expecting to expand that in 2026.

Dad and Dave broke his maiden status at Kyneton over 1850m in early December, after which Maher decided to target the Tasmanian Derby, using the Launceston Guineas as a lead-up to the state’s major three-year-old staying event at Elwick on 7 February.

Maher’s Melbourne stable foreman, Freece Murphy, said the gelding had always shown staying promise and his effortless maiden win ensured a trip to Tasmania.

“We tried Dad and Dave as a two-year-old but he wasn’t ready, and while he is still learning his craft there’s a lot to like about him,” Murphy said.

“He had four jump-outs over three months leading up to his debut run at Echuca (1400m), which was encouraging, and the same for his following run but he put it all together last start to win by over three lengths at a more suitable trip.”

Dad and Dave travelled to Tasmania on Sunday and will be stabled at Seven Mile Beach with John Keys.

“He will be right at home being prepared in a beach training environment,” Murphy said.

The stable will be represented in both major cups by Ziryab and last year’s Hobart Cup winner Strawberry Rock.

Ziryab arrived in Maher’s stable from the UK in early 2024 as a maiden stayer and after notching five wins and multiple minor placings over trips ranging from 2000-2500m he has emerged as a genuine Tasmanian cups prospect.

“Ziryab is a genuine stayer that races on-speed and he has the form that suggests he is going to be very competitive in Tassie.”

“He will run in the weight-for-age Summer Cup (2200m at Elwick) and then go to the two major cups.”

It is the same path Strawberry Rock took to win last year’s Hobart Cup.

Strawberry Rock will bypass the Summer Cup and go straight into the Ladbrokes Hobart Cup before heading to Launceston.

“Strawberry Rock hasn’t won since last year’s Hobart Cup, but he has been ticking along nicely this preparation.”

Strawberry Rock raced at Group 3 level in Melbourne during the Spring Carnival and while unplaced in the Coongy Handicap, Bendigo Cup and Queen Elizabeth Stakes he battled on tenaciously at his most recent outing in the Listed Bagot Handicap over 2800 metres at Flemington on New Year’s Eve.

“He thrived last year when we took him to Tassie, so we are expecting him to do the same this year.”