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Ciaron Maher filly Yes Lulu surges home to stay unbeaten at Caulfield Heath

Ciaron Maher filly Yes Lulu will now be set for a race on Magic Millions day after maintaining her perfect record at Caulfield Heath on Saturday.

Yes Lulu and Declan Bates prove too strong in the Magic Millions VIC 3YO & 4YO Classic at Caulfield Heath. Picture: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images
Yes Lulu and Declan Bates prove too strong in the Magic Millions VIC 3YO & 4YO Classic at Caulfield Heath. Picture: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Yes Lulu unleashed a big finish to win the Magic Millions VIC 3YO & 4YO Classic (1200m).

The Ciaron Maher-trained filly, now set for the Magic Millions Fillies and Mares (1300m) on January 11 at Gold Coast, wore down the leader Miss Altair to stay unbeaten at Caulfield Heath.

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Favourite Miraval Rose travelled three-wide without cover and stuck on for third.

Jockey Declan Bates rated Yes Lulu, a 1200m maiden winner at Caulfield Heath last month, perfectly around the tight inner track on Saturday.

“She’s a lovely filly this, first time I’ve sat on her actually, loved the way she finished off,” Bates said.

“She’s got a beautiful action too, the fact she’s winning on this tight track is a bonus because she’s probably going to better on a bigger track, so good win.”

Yes Lulu returned $11 with Ladbrokes.

Bates summed up the race quickly after being beaten for speed out of the barriers and settled next to last in a compact eight-horse field.

He swung wide into the straight and peeled off Miraval Rose’s back.

“I didn’t quite have the speed to hold three-wide line behind Grahame Begg’s horse (Miraval Rose), I just wanted to trail it, but I would’ve had her (Yes Lulu) outside of her comfort zone,” Bates said.

“I gave up that spot, came back a pair just to get her travelling the way I wanted and it worked out, I was able to come out when I wanted and after relaxing like that she had a really great turn of foot.”

HUSKY WILLO A HEATH SPECIALIST

Inhibitions sealed a Caulfield Heath four-timer for champion jockey Craig Williams on Saturday, who battled a husky voice and gentle ribbing for not being able to speak – as much as usual.

Williams, who has ridden seven wins on the inner track at Caulfield from 16 start, saluted aboard Dragoon (race 2), Bon Mistress (R7), Grand Larceny (R8) and Inhibitions (R10).

“I’ve been testing the last three days, I don’t have Covid, I don’t have (a cold) from all the tests I’m fine, I’ve just got to use my lower voice,” Williams said.

“My wife has been very mischievous … everyone is happy because I can’t talk as much as usual.

“I’m working out every day, I’m racing every day, the body is good, the mind is great, I don’t know what it is … I just can’t talk.

“Someone said ‘can you believe it, you’ve over-talked Craig’, it’s taken 46 years for me to over talk.”

JOY FOR JAYLA

Rising star apprentice Jaylah Kennedy claimed a double at Caulfield with Thailess and Marble Arch.

Marble Arch finished over the top of Warnie in the 1500m Benchmark 100 with Mollynickers in third.

Bold frontrunner Buffalo River led and stuck on for fourth.

Kennedy won from the front earlier on the card aboard Thailess for Grampians trainer Andrew Bobbin.

GRAND PLANS IN TIME

Trainers Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes are in no hurry to raise the bar too quickly for Grand Larceny happy to take the emerging sprinter through the grades.

Grand Larceny, a half-brother to 2019 The Everest winner Yes Yes Yes, defeated Boston Rocks and Luna Cat on saturday in a 1000m Benchmark 74 – his third start and second win as a gelding.

“He was doing a few things wrong as a colt but now he’s a gelding he’s putting it all together,” Wayne Hawkes said.

“He’s won his last two and he was desperately unlucky the start before so in fairness he could’ve won his last three.

“He’s been a slow work in produce but he’s putting things together.”

Hawkes said Grand Larceny would likely race again before a break and reassessment.

“We’re in no rush, he’ll get there somewhere, it won’t be in the autumn,” Hawkes said.

“It will be about next spring when he gets to better heights.”

Originally published as Ciaron Maher filly Yes Lulu surges home to stay unbeaten at Caulfield Heath

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Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/sport/horse-racing/ciaron-maher-filly-yes-lulu-surges-home-to-stay-unbeaten-at-caulfield-heath/news-story/f02e27f9509adce4126a7a4ff7165a9c