Ciaron Maher fights back tears after Away Game wins Magic Millions Classic but it was a rough result for punters

Trainer Ciaron Maher has won many Group 1s across the country but Away Game’s upset win in the Magic Millions Guineas nearly reduced him to tears.

Luke Currie wins the Magic Millions Classic on Away Game. Picture: AAP

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When Ciaron Maher saddled Srikandi to win the Silk Stocking on the Gold Coast in May 2014, he could barely have imagined what a happy hunting ground the Sunshine State would become for him.

The normally ice cool Maher had to choke back tears as the enormity of Away Game’s Magic Millions success dawned on him.

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Maher won the Caulfield Cup in 2016 with Jameka and has won a host of Group 1 races across the country, but he rated the win in the $2 million Classic as perhaps the most satisfying of his career.

“It’s what you need to do. It’s very pleasing and satisfying for her to get the job done,” Maher said.

“We have put a lot of time and effort into our two-year-olds this year and they’re absolutely flying.”

Away Game races clear to win the Magic Millions 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast. Picture: Getty Images

Srikandi was Maher’s first Queensland winner. Since then he’s had four Group 1 wins here, another 10 stakes successes and now the state’s richest race, the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

Adding to the prize, Away Game also takes out the lion’s share of the $500,000 Racing Women Bonus, being owned by an all-girls syndicate, put together by Hannah Mathiesen, who worked for Maher last year before returning to the US.

“She worked for us last year and she picked this horse out. They made it into a girls syndicate and it’s phenomenal. They’ve all come out from the US,” Maher said.

Maher now trains in partnership with David Eustace, who thanked him for being in a position where he’s now able to scale racing’s greatest heights.

“It’s quite surreal really. I can’t thank the boss enough for the opportunity,” Eustace said.

“He allows you to grow whatever role you’re in. He’s made me a better horseman and better trainer for it. He loves to give people a go. You won’t get a better boss.

“It’s a great result for the whole team and to be a part of this amazing team and these great horses, it means everything.”

A jubilant Luke Currie returns to scale on Away Game. Picture: AAP

Despite being spruiked by Maher earlier in the week, Away Game was shunned by the market place and started a $41 chance, beating $17 chance Stellar Pauline and Conceited ($10) in a blowout result.

Jockey Luke Currie won the race on the more fancied Sunlight two years ago and was surprised at the price Away Game started after she won easily at Doomben last month.

“I thought she was definitely under a 10-1 chance and I thought the bookies had it wrong,” he said.

“She hasn’t had cover in her runs, first start she led and second start she sat outside lead.

“She just relaxed with cover today and you could tell in her breathing that she was going to let go.

“She was so comfortable and really when we got into the clear she went bang. She had a brilliant turn of foot.”