While many had been questioning how The Next Episode had come up following his two-year-old season, the Ciaron Maher stable had not lost faith.
That faith was vindicated on Saturday when The Next Episode took out the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1100m) at Flemington which in turn will set the colt on the path to the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) on October 31.
Ridden by Mark Zahra, The Next Episode ($3.30) overhauled the $2.70 favourite Natural Fling to score by a short neck with Mbube ($16) a length away third.
Maher said he was not concerned by The Next Episode’s below par performances at the trials in Sydney.
The Next Episode ($3.30) wins the Danehill Stakes at Flemington by half a length from Natural Fling ($2.70). Mbube third.
First-up from a spell. Mark Zahra rode for Ciaron Maher.pic.twitter.com/z4df1UYdlr
— Race Hub (@RaceHubNow) October 3, 2026
He said the colt was telling him he was not ready.
“He had a couple of trials in Sydney and wasn’t quite ready, so we brought him down here and he was very slick behind Jimmy (Jimmysstar),” Maher said.
“I thought we were right back on track then and I wanted to give him a look down the straight so that wouldn’t be an excuse.
“We had a trial here the other day and I was mindful he blew the clock up 10 days earlier and I wanted to keep him on the bit and have him ready for today.
“Then when the rain came, it’s documented that he handles that sort of track, so I wasn’t concerned.
“It was a beautiful ride by Mark, and he knew what he had underneath him.
“He rides those horses so well, when they need a bit of confidence and it’s a credit to him.”
Maher said he would see how The Next Episode recovers from Saturday’s victory under testing conditions before deciding if the colt requires another run prior to the Coolmore Stud Stakes.
The trainer indicated the Group 3 Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on October 17 was the option should the colt need another start.
“He’s thrived and he will still improve,” Maher said.
“His coat has to come on a bit, and he should present well in four weeks’ time.”
“The plan is to have another run, but we’ll just see how he comes through. He’s a good colt and four weeks is the plan, so we’ll see if he has another run.”
