Leading Victorian trainer Ciaron Maher looks set to add some real international flavour to racing at Trentham next month with hardy stayer Interpretation likely to contest the Gr.3 NZ Campus Of Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (3200m) on 18 January.
The Maher stable has Smokin’ Romans, Herman Hesse, Le Don De Vie and Earl Of Tyrone nominated for the race alongside Interpretation, however the former European galloper and 2023 Gr.3 Bendigo Cup (2400m) winner is the one Maher indicated would make the trip across the Tasman.
“We do have quite a few nominated for the Wellington Cup but at this stage it is Interpretation we see as the one who will make the trip,” Maher said.
“The Trentham track will suit him down to the ground as he is a horse that needs room in his races and Trentham will provide him with that.
“He is a very solid stayer with good ability but he doesn’t seem to get a lot of luck in his racing.
“His Bendigo Cup win was outstanding and showed what he is capable of and he went on to go a super race when finishing seventh in the Melbourne Cup (Gr.1, 3200m) that year.
“This year his Melbourne Cup run is best forgotten as we may have ridden him a little bit too handy, which is outside his pattern and he never really fired on the day, finishing well back.”
Interpretation hasn’t raced since beating one home in the Melbourne Cup but has retained good fitness with two recent Cranbourne jump-out wins keeping him sharp.
“He is going along quite well at home, his fitness is high and if anything, you need to keep him bright and above himself to see him at his best,” Maher said.
“If he does make it to the race, it is likely he will also stay on for the Auckland Cup (Gr.2, 3200m) in March as it makes sense to us at this stage.”
While Interpretation could well stay on, Maher will get plenty of frequent flyer miles under his belt as he also plans to return for the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale which kicks off on 26 January at Karaka.
Maher has been a regular attendee at Karaka and has made his presence felt on numerous occasions, purchasing a number of black-type performers including 2023 Gr.1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) winner Ruthless Dame, who he secured for $90,000 from the Curraghmore Book 1 Sale draft in 2021.
“It would be nice to come across for the Wellington Cup and then stay on to the Karaka Yearling Sale, however there is so much going on at home, it’s not really feasible,” he said.
“There will be a few plane trips involved no doubt, but I’m looking forward to getting over for the sale.”
Maher has currently trained 102 winners in Victoria for the season, three ahead of his nearest challengers Ben, Will and JD Hayes, with a total of 152 wins across Australia for more than $42 million in prizemoney. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
