Ciaron Maher has conquered many major Australian races, but the Adelaide Cup remains one title missing from his impressive résumé. That could change this Monday when his two runners, Promises Kept and Goldenstatewarrior, line up in the Group 2 3200-metre contest at Morphettville.

Jockeys Michael Dee and Blake Shinn will be aboard Maher’s hopes after both secured major wins in New Zealand over the weekend. Shinn delivered a masterful ride to win the NZ$3.5 million The Kiwi (1500m) on Damask Rose, while Dee guided Willydoit to victory in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m).

Goldenstatewarrior, set to be ridden by Dee, is coming off a fourth-place finish in the Group 3 Lord Reims Stakes (2600m) on February 22. Assistant trainer Jack Turnbull is confident the horse will improve with tactical adjustments.

“He was inclined to do more late but he did float for a bit, so headgear will go on him,” Turnbull explained. “We’ll ride him with a little bit more initiative and get him involved. He’s got a lightweight and we do believe he’ll stay.”

Shinn’s mount, Promises Kept, is fresh from a strong Tasmanian campaign that saw him claim second place in both the Group 3 Hobart Cup (2400m) and Group 3 Launceston Cup (2400m).

“He went back to Ballarat and only had the one piece of work because he is very fit,” Turnbull said. “He strode up the back straight on Tuesday morning and we can’t fault him.”

The team has opted to reapply blinkers to Promises Kept, hoping it sharpens his focus.

“He is a bit of a thinker and was having a look last time, so we’re going back to the blinkers,” Turnbull added. “With 58 kilos, they haven’t missed him, but it is what it is.”

Taramansour, trained by Phillip Stokes, currently tops betting sites at $4 for the Adelaide Cup 2025, a race that dates back to 1864.