Maher jumps for joy after feature double
The Sunday Age
Sunday April 4, 2010
WARRNAMBOOL trainer Ciaron Maher continued his strong association with the Oakbank Easter carnival by winning both jumps races yesterday, including the quinella in the Von Doussa Steeplechase (3250 metres).Maher, who won last year's Great Eastern Steeplechase with Pentacolo, took the winner back this year as well as stablemate Al Garhood.Leading jumps jockey Craig Durden took Al Garhood ($9) straight to the lead and made it a true staying test from the outset.Brad McLean on Pentacolo ($6), sensing the stablemate would be hard to run down, made his move from well back, circling to third over the back and turned for home in second place.But the leader wouldn't be denied, kicking strongly in the long straight and going on for a 3 -length win over Pentacolo, with favourite Frenzilian ($3.30) a further 5 lengths away third.Maher was surprised that Pentacolo couldn't run down the winner but was thrilled to lead in the quinella. "Pentacolo is a much better flat horse and I thought he would be able to run him down," he said."But Al Garhood's best quality is his toughness. He was the second horse I trained and has just been a great old horse for the stable. He's paid for his consistency but keeps trying."The young trainer will now set the winner for the feature jumps races at the Warrnambool carnival, while he will take the runner-up to the beach today to ensure he pulls up well enough for tomorrow's Great Eastern Steeplechase."We did the same thing with him last year and he pulled up well, so if he does the same we'll probably back him up again," he said.Maher, who has 25 horses in work at Warrnambool, also won the Woodford Reserve Hurdle earlier in the day with Satu San and also led in the third-placed Art Success.Both horses are entered for tomorrow's Yalumba Classic Hurdle and, if they pull up well, will take their places.In the feature flat race, the listed Oakbank Stakes, talented mare Very Discreet put her breeding career on hold after returning to winning form.The mare, prepared by Richard Jolly and bred and part-owned by SAJC chairman David Peacock, was held up for a run for much of the straight but burst between runners late and surged to a strong win.
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