Narbold looked set to secure victory when it sprinted clear of Rock Empire, but the latter displayed significant resilience to fight back and regain the lead in the closing stages of the ATC Thank You Trainers Handicap (1600m).
Maher was not in attendance at Randwick on Saturday, but his trusted stable assistant, Johann Gerard-Dubois, confirmed the trainer’s move into Crown Lodge at Warwick Farm.
“We handed the keys in for Bong Bong yesterday (Friday),” Gerard-Dubois communicated.
Maher had been preparing to move into the 65-box Leilani Lodge stables at Royal Randwick, but Crown Lodge, which is almost double the size, became available at Warwick Farm.
The Australian Turf Club awarded the Leilani Lodge stables to Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott during the week, and they will soon relocate to these famous racing stables.
Rock Empire ($17), under the guidance of jockey Adam Hyeronimus, became the first of many winners for Maher from his new Crown Lodge base, edging out Narbold ($4 favourite) by a half-head, with The Creator ($11) finishing a length and a half further back in third.
“This was the right race for him,” Gerard-Dubois said of Rock Empire.
“His first-up run was very good, he was strong late. He had to go to 1600m today and it would have been nice to have a run in between but the programming didn’t quite work for him.
“But he’s a very clean-winded horse and he’s a very genuine horse. He had to fight hard late but he was brave.”
Rock Empire’s victory represented Maher’s 44th Sydney winner from nearly 380 starters this season, securing him sixth place in the trainers’ premiership rankings.
With Maher now establishing a permanent Sydney base out of Crown Lodge, his Sydney starters are expected to escalate significantly in the new season, potentially pushing for a top-three finish in the trainers’ premiership.
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