The Ciaron Maher stable is initiating the campaigns of two young horses at Caulfield this Saturday, with the expectation that they can progress to more significant races in the spring.
Ghana’s Akan and Milsons Point are scheduled to compete in the Stow Robotics Handicap over 1100 metres, marking their first starts since the autumn racing season.
Milsons Point has been gelded since his last appearance in the VOBIS Showdown (1200m) at Caulfield in March. Jack Turnbull, National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, stated that Saturday offers a suitable starting point with loftier assignments in mind.
“He’s a big lad,” Turnbull said of Milsons Point. “Last prep he was strong as a colt, but he has softened up a touch as a gelding. He is a miler, that’s his future, so he’ll go up in trip pretty quick.”
Milsons Point has completed two jump-outs in preparation for his comeback and secured a victory in an 800-metre heat at Caulfield last week.
“We’re pleased with how he’s come back, but his Grand Finals are down the track,” Turnbull commented. “The Caulfield Guineas would be his Grand Final, but we don’t know if he’s good enough. We’ll give him his chance to get there in races like the Mike Moroney at Flemington, the Prelude or the Stutt Stakes.”
Ghana’s Akan is yet to win from four starts, but she has two second placings to her name and has earned just under $470,000 in prize money.
The daughter of Street Boss finished second in the Inglis Millennium at Randwick before concluding her preparation with a fifth-place finish in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield.
Despite not having won a race, Ghana’s Akan has been given the top weight of 59kg, which will be offset by the 3kg claim from jockey Jabez Johnstone.
“We were sort of surprised in a way with the weight, but she’s a talented filly that put the writing on the wall last prep,” Turnbull said. “She’s strengthened up but will be better again coming out of the spring into the autumn. She’s quick, she had a nice trial last week and she’s cleaned up in the skin.”
Turnbull indicated that Ghana’s Akan would be kept to sprinting distances during the spring, with the Group 3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on August 15 a potential early target.
“The three weeks should work well, so that’s her path,” Turnbull added. “I think she’s more short course. That’s the way we see her, and I think the 1100 and 1200 metres is her go this prep.”
The Stow Robotics Handicap on Saturday provides a solid starting point for these two stablemates as they begin their spring campaigns.
Betting markets for the Stow Robotics Handicap are already taking shape at exciting sports betting platforms.
