From benchmark battler to Group 1 Queensland Oaks champ: How Ciaron Maher pulled up filly’s Socks

The magic and mystique of Ciaron Maher went to a new level on Saturday, delivering a $101 knockout in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) to pull off a training masterclass with Socks Nation and jockey Ryan Maloney.

Ryan Maloney and Ciaron Maher celebrate their Group 1 Queensland Oaks boilover with Socks Nation at Eagle Farm. Picture: Grant Peters / Trackside Photography

The magic and mystique of Ciaron Maher went to a new level on Saturday, delivering a $101 knockout in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) to pull off a training masterclass with Socks Nation and jockey Ryan Maloney.

A stunned silence fell over Eagle Farm as the filly held off a challenge from Our Gold Hope to win the $700,000 feature and deliver the trainer his 45th Group 1.

Maher has long been renowned as the master of the unusual – and he has taken it to the extreme with Socks Nation, saying the filly had been in work for the best part of 13 months between his various training locations.

The win even surprised Maher’s close mate Tony Gollan, who housed the filly at his Eagle Farm stables in the lead up to the race.

Socks Nation hardly captured the attention of punters after running fourth in Benchmark 72 grade at Randwick last month but the master trainer never lost faith, saying she had been a beneficiary of a beach training regime.

Sock it to them!

Socks Nation is the G1 Queensland Oaks champ for 2024!@BrisRacingClub@cmaherracing@RMaloney_Jockeypic.twitter.com/6e5dVf0MU6

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 8, 2024

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“It’s phenomenal, the team has done a super job,” Maher said.

“She’s been in work 13 months, this filly, and she just keeps on running really well.

“She goes to a lot of locations, she’s been to the beach and sometimes a change is as good as a holiday. She’s a tough, Kiwi-bred filly and they do it time and time again in these races.

“She worked well in the week so we didn’t have to do much with her.”

Punters were left on the canvas after the result, with a $47,000 trifecta knocking out favourite backers.

Vets will run their eyes over race favourite Scarlet Oak after she finished a long last when drifting from $3.60 to 4.80 late in betting.

Second favourite Molly Bloom could only manage eighth after settling at the rear of the field in what was a messy affair.

In capturing his fourth Group 1, Maloney opted to throw caution in the wind on Socks Nation, pouring on the pressure with nothing to lose.

Ryan Maloney (red silks) gets Socks Nation home in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks boilover at Eagle Farm. Picture: Grant Peters / Trackside Photography

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“I was surprised nobody came to put any pressure on us,” Maloney said.

“I knew she’d stay and you just can’t rule out any of Ciaron’s horses, even though she was a big price. He can do it all and it’s great to win my fourth Group 1, especially for Ciaron as he used to put me on his horses when I’d just come out of my time as an apprentice.

“You can’t knock her form down south, it was a great training effort. We got all the breaks and she just outstayed them in the end.”

Queenslander Kelly Schweida was thrilled with his third-place finish with Miss Joelene, ending what has been a promising but unlucky preparation.

“We were the only Queenslander in the field and she has just done such a great job, this filly, we are so happy,” he said.

After being backed off the map, Kind Words ran fourth for trainer Kris Lees following a wide run in transit.

Originally published as From benchmark battler to Group 1 Queensland Oaks champ: How Ciaron Maher pulled up filly’s Socks