Growing Empire will be ridden with cover and race without blinkers in order to strike back in Group 1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington

Ciaron Maher will make a tactical change with Growing Empire in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap in a bid to get the talented colt back to winning form.

Crack colt Growing Empire is likely to be ridden with cover in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) on Saturday at Flemington.

Champion trainer Ciaron Maher has again taken the blinkers off Growing Empire to help the multiple Group 1-placed son of Zoustar settle into a comfortable rhythm.

Growing Empire travelled behind the leaders in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) first-up at Flemington and blended into the contest from the 400m.

• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

The rising star three-year-old, touched off in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes last spring and then placed third in both the Coolmore Stud Stakes and The Everest, race ungenerously over the concluding stages to run seventh in the Lightning.

Assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said Growing Empire could bounce back on Saturday.

“He’s a star colt, we’ve always said it,” Turnbull said.

“Look at his form last preparation, third in the Coolmore, he was third in The Everest, he only got beaten by Southport Tycoon in the Manikato.

“Not many three-year-olds can do that and travel as well (Melbourne to Sydney and back).

“We’ve taken the blinkers off, we believe we were exposed to the wind on the inside and he just raced choked up a little bit, he didn’t really travel and relax and get into a rhythm.

“I’d imagine we’re going to be riding for cover (on Saturday) and to use his turn of foot, if saved up and travelling properly he’s fairly electric.”

Growing Empire will have the blinkers taken off and be ridden with cover in the Newmarket Handicap on Saturday. Picture: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Growing Empire is $6.50 second favourite for the Newmarket from Chris Waller-trained Group 1-winner Joliestar ($4.80).

Lightning runner-up Stretan Angel ($7.50) rounds out the top three in early betting from Benedetta ($10) and Rey Magnerio ($10).

Buenos Noches, twice Group 1 placed at Flemington, will debut for Maher on Saturday in the Newmarket.

The five-year-old stallion, formerly trained by Matthew Smith, required a third jumpout last week after he “resented” wearing blinkers in an previous 800m heat.

• All-Star Mile runner-by-runner form analysis and tips

“He jumped out fairly poor (with blinkers on) so we stripped him back, changed things up, kept him fresh,” Turnbull said.

“Stayed off his back and what we’ve seen, in terms of health, he’s really improved.

“His last bit of work with Growing Empire was pretty sharp and same in the jumpout.

“He’s got the runs on the board … and he needs to get back to that, but he’s a valuable commodity if he does win a big one.”

Buenos Noches is $19 for the Newmarket.

He finished seventh in the Newmarket last year but pulled up with a vet issue.

Buenos Noches placed third first-up in the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Stakes at Flemington last September.

Originally published as Growing Empire will be ridden with cover and race without blinkers in order to strike back in Group 1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington