Happy Oaks hunter Ciaron Maher aims for number three

Ben Dorries - Thursday September 21

Ciaron Maher knows how to train a VRC Oaks winner and reckons Aloisia has the galloping action and the determination to become his third winner of the 2500m Group I race.

Advertisement
Former Kiwi filly Aloisia will give trainer Ciaron Maher a gilt-edged chance to claim his third VRC Oaks Photo: Darryl Sherer

Maher has won the Oaks with Set Square (2014) and Jameka (2015) and has $13 second favourite Aloisia for the November feature.

Aloisia will resume in Saturday's Aquis Farm Supports Pinchapoo Plate (1400m) in the first plank of a four-start spring campaign which will include the Thousand Guineas and culminate in the VRC Oaks.

It will be the first time Aloisia has been seen on race day since she ran a cracking second behind Capital Gain in the Group I JJ Atkins (1600m) during the Queensland winter carnival.

It was a big run considering she found herself three back along the fence and tightened for room, struggling to get clear running at the top of the straight.

Before that the former Kiwi had her first Australian start for Maher when she won at Flemington over 1400m in May.

The OTI filly looks as if she will only get better as the distances get longer and Maher is convinced she will be a strong Oaks contender.

"Jameka was big and strong, almost like a colt, whereas Set Square was like a whirlwind who came on the scene very quickly and did great things," Maher said.

"Aloisia is different again, I would call her a very determined filly.

"I think that determination and will to win will take her a long way.

"The other top attribute she has is that, like Jameka and Set Square, she has a really great action."

Aloisia is a $5 chance with Sportsfest and Ladbrokes when she resumes on Saturday and some punters might be looking elsewhere, thinking perhaps she wants more ground and has bigger fish to fry this spring.

But Maher says she will be in the race up to her eyeballs.

"She comes to hand pretty quickly and while she will take improvement out of this run, she has real quality about her and is drawn to get a nice run in a pocket just behind them," Maher said.

"She wintered really well in Queensland and has trialled up nicely for this.

"I wouldn't be at all surprised if she won."

WATCH Aloisia run second in the Group I JJ Atkins
Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Monday July 21
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Lucky Magic (NZ) Sparkles in Selangor Mile
Karaka graduate Lucky Magic (NZ) (Mendelssohn) secured a place in Malaysian racing history on Sunday with a triumph in the inaugural RM$1m Selangor Mile (1600m).
Spring Stars First Trials Coming Up Tuesday
The Randwick barrier trials on Tuesday morning will give us the first look at some big guns tuning up for the spring racing with seven Group One winners entered, and some rising three year-old big race hopefuls.
Spring G1 Goals for Tuxedo
One of this season’s leading three-year-olds will be restricted to shorter trips in the new term in his transition to the weight-for-age ranks.
Sires With Winners - Sunday July 20
Here is the full list of 60 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
2.4million Frankel Stallion Wins G2 Minstrel
He cost 2.4million guineas as a yearling and is one of the most eye-catching horses you would ever see, so of course we’re going to do a story when he wins a G2!
Shinzo Filly the First Foal for Torryburn Stud
We’ve still got over a week before the official horse’s birthday on August 1, but our new season foal are already appearing and Torryburn Stud have today announced the arrival of a filly by Golden Slipper winner Shinzo.
Blue Gum Farm Stallion Parade August 10
The Victorian stallion parade week in August will start with Blue Gum Farm opening the gates on Sunday August 10 for a friendly lunchtime gathering while inspecting the farm’s three stallions – Sejardan, Flying Artie and Oxley Road.
Impressive Debut As Tassort Filly Spice Baby Wins By Three
Tackling the older horses on debut is never easy, but the Joseph Ible trained Spice Baby headed to Moruya on Monday, trouncing her opposition to score by three lengths, untouched.
Incredible Quality in Magic Millions Virtual Sale
A breeding right to the world's most prolific sire - by elite level strike rate - will stand alongside a swag of stakes performed fillies and mares in next month's Magic Millions August Virtual Sale, with the initial catalogue unveiled today.