Ciaron Maher’s operation will utilise an effective approach to chase a substantial restricted prize at Caulfield.

On Saturday, Salty Pearl contests the $500,000 VOBIS Platinum Guineas (1600m) with intentions of progressing past her Flemington placing from last week.

The filly knows how to handle a swift return, having won at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day last year—a week on from fourth in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield.

Saturday brings blinkers into Salty Pearl’s gear courtesy of the Maher team.

She arrives fourth-up following a third at Caulfield on debut this prep in January, second place to Sheza Alibi in the Angus Armanasco Stakes (1400m) last month at Caulfield, and third to Sass Appeal in last week’s Kewney Stakes at Flemington.

“We backed her up last prep and she was able to win at The Valley, and this looks a nice race for her, and we know that she can back up,” Maher said.

“We’ve got the blinkers up our sleeve which we’ll use on Saturday. We popped them on last campaign and she hit the mark.

“She came through that last run well and I think she’s still on the up.”

Salty Pearl boasts nine placings from 11 career appearances, underscoring her dependable nature.

Excluding the Thousand Guineas, her other miss was debut day as a two-year-old in the Merson Cooper Stakes.

Maher remains confident in Milsons Point’s ability to strike back in the $1 million The Showdown (1200m).

He debuted a winner at Pakenham, placed second in the Blue Diamond Preview at Caulfield, yet trailed badly in the premier two-year-old event in Melbourne last month.

“His two runs prior to the Blue Diamond Stakes were very good,” Maher said.

“The Blue Diamond didn’t go to plan, but he worked well earlier in the week and if work is anything to go by, he should run back to form and that should hold him in good stead for Saturday.”

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