Show Maher the money: Another big race double looms for trainer Ciaron Maher on 2024 Golden Eagle Day at Rosehill

He captured The Everest and Caulfield Cup two weeks ago and trainer Ciaron Maher will attempt another big-race double at Rosehill on Saturday with a proven giant-killer and the “iron lady” of Australian racing.

Bella Nipotina, the “iron lady” of Australian racing, is trying to win successive races for the first time in her celebrated career in the $3 million Russell Balding Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Trainer Ciaron Maher’s mighty mare has raced at the top level for five years and is about to have her 56th start after her famous The Everest win two weeks ago.

But it is a remarkable anomaly in Bella Nipotina’s race record that the seven-year-old mare has never won two races in a row!

So, Bella Nipotina, the $2.30 favourite with TAB Fixed Odds for the Russell Balding, is racing for history on a number of fronts at Rosehill and has pleased the Maher stable since her win in The Everest.

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“I think ‘Bella’, if anything, is even better since The Everest,’’ said Maher’s assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord.

“She loves her racing, she won this race last year, and is full of confidence.’’

If Bella Nipotina finally wins two races back-to-back for the first time, she will become only the third horse to break the $20 million prizemoney barrier.

Bella Nipotina, who has already banked $18,811,624, is racing for the $1,725,000 first prizemoney and two bonus payments of $1 million each as leading points scorer in the Sydney Sprint Series and for becoming the first to complete The Everest-Russell Balding double.

Winx, Nature Strip … now Bella: $20m club in mighty mare's sights

The Everest winner Bella Nipotina can smash through the $20m prizemoney barrier if she completes a unique sprint double at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. 👇https://t.co/JdMLJGqR0n

— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) October 31, 2024

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This would take Bella Nipotina’s career earnings to a staggering $22,536,624, making her the second highest all-time leading prizemoney earner in Australian racing history behind only Winx with $26,451,175. Nature Strip ($20,755,018) is the other horse to earn at least $20 million prizemoney.

Maher also has I Am Me lining up in the Russell Balding Stakes. She had won the Concorde Stakes, beating Bella Nipotina, and The Shorts this spring before finishing 10th in The Everest.

“I Am Me was a little plain on paper in The Everest but when the track has a bit of give in it, she is not the same horse,’’ Gerard-Dubord said. “If the rain stays away, she can bounce back.’’

• Clinton Payne’s 2024 Golden Eagle tips, runner-by-runner form assessment

The Maher stable is also well represented in the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) with Group 1 winners Southport Tycoon and Griff.

While there has been strong support for international runners such as Ascoli Piceno ($4) and Lazzat ($6), Southport Tycoon ($13) is no stranger to causing an upset at a price. He blew past Growing Empire to win the Manikato Stakes as a $21 chance two starts back, while his Australian Guineas victory over Golden Eagle rival Veight came as a $19 chance.

“Southport Tycoon is going great, he has come through the Sydney Stakes (third to Overpass) really well,’’ Gerard-Dubord said.

“The Golden Eagle has been the target for him all preparation, we are looking forward to it.

“Griff has drawn the better of the two – obviously he has to improve on what he has done so far this preparation but the 1500m will suit.’’

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Maher is looking to build on what has been a sensational start to the 2024-25 season with his stable runners winning 102 races and earning more than $27 million prizemoney in the first three months.

The champion trainer, who is a clear leader on both trainer premiership categories (wins and prizemoney), has a powerful presence in all the feature races on Saturday including brilliant colt and Everest placegetter Growing Empire in the Group 1 $2 million Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) on Derby Day at Flemington.

Maher also has Saint Emilion lining up in the Group 1 $2 million Victoria Derby (2500m), while Revolutionary Miss and Socks Nation are contesting the Group 1 $1 million Empire Rose Stakes (1600m).

Originally published as Show Maher the money: Another big race double looms for trainer Ciaron Maher on 2024 Golden Eagle Day at Rosehill