A son of St Jean famously slipped through their grasp last spring and another young galloper by the late staying sire saddled up by the Maher stable slipped under punters’ guards on Wednesday with a head-turning debut win at Caulfield.
Melek, a gelding bred by the late Colin McKenna and raced by a group including his widow Janice, won the 1600m Maiden on debut, defeating two stablemates that were shorter in the market. That said, punters seemed to latch on to the gelding late in betting, firming from as much as $9 at Betfair to $4.60 as they jumped.
Melek is out of Maher’s dual Grand Annual Steeplechase winner Regina Coeli and stable representative Leigh Allen said he gives the stable every indication he will relish an extended trip in time.
St Jean, who died after a paddock accident last week, is the sire of Melbourne Cup and Caulfield Cup hero Half Yours, who Maher trained before the stayer was bought by the McEvoy stable via Inglis Digital last spring.
“It was actually really impressive, I didn’t see that one coming,” stable representative Leigh Allen said.
“He’s definitely going to get further but that was a very positive debut.”
“It’s taken a bit of time, he’s obviously four now, but from what I can see, he’s got a bright future.”
“Janice is obviously in the horse and Ciaron has got a fair chunk of him too.”
From only 35 named foals, St Jean has produced 23 runners and 13 individual winners.
