The Ciaron Maher stable achieved a perfect outcome at Sandown, fielding four runners in a single race and claiming all the top spots.
Maher’s trainees secured the first four positions in the Sportsbet Fixed Odds Exotics Plate (1200m) on Wednesday, with the First Four combination returning a handsome dividend of over $1200 for a $1 bet.
With in-form apprentice Jabez Johnstone in the stirrups, Saintly Dancer ($5.50) triumphed over the $2.60 favourite Ghana’s Akan. Platinum Pearl ($26) rounded out the top three, a further three-quarters of a length behind the second finisher.
Stipulation ($11) completed the Maher quinella, finishing 1-½ lengths shy of third place.
Jack Turnbull, National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, confirmed that the stable’s three Victorian locations were all represented in the race.
The winner, Saintly Dancer, was prepared from the Ballarat stable, while the runner-up, Ghana’s Akan, was trained from their Cranbourne facility. Platinum Pearl and Stipulation had been based at Fingal on the Mornington Peninsula, preparing for their initial race starts.
“To the whole stable’s credit, they have run out of all three locations in this race,” Turnbull said.
Turnbull mentioned that Saintly Dancer required some patient handling early on as she was a bit ‘hot’ but had shown her potential when finishing second on debut at Geelong last month.
“She has taken a little management early days, always hot and active, but the Ballarat team has done a terrific job,” Turnbull explained.
“We were chatting pre-race, and depending on how she went, would determine where we go, but the fact that she has won, and beat Ghana’s Akan, it sets us up to have a look at some better races in the next couple of weeks.
“She was purchased to get further, but 1400 metres, a mile, may be a question mark this time in, but we’ll just train the horse.
“We’ll let her tell us, even if we get her at the back end of spring, there is a lot of quality.”
Ghana’s Akan has now registered her third runner-up finish from six starts, despite having earned close to $500,000 in prize money.
Turnbull anticipates that the filly will not remain a maiden for much longer.
“She travelled like she was going to win, but when you have a filly with Saintly Dancer’s ability coming off her back, without any ceiling, it could prove a very good form race,” Turnbull commented.
Explore racing betting markets for upcoming events.
