Ciaron Maher says everything is coming together for his star mare Azkadellia this weekend

NOT even Queensland’s wild weather could disrupt Azkadellia’s perfect Stradbroke preparations as Melbourne trainer Ciaron Maher sets his sights on consecutive wins in Queensland’s premier race.

Jockey Michael Cahill rides Azkadellia in a hit-out at Eagle Farm. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Peled

NOT even Queensland’s wild weather could disrupt Azkadellia’s faultless Stradbroke preparations as Melbourne trainer Ciaron Maher sets his sights on consecutive wins in Queensland’s premier race this Saturday.

Maher feels the stars are aligning for his star mare and said everything has gone to plan in the lead up to the $1.5 million race over the past two months.

“Coming out of the Sydney autumn if I thought I was heading into this race and to be in the position we are in at the moment, I couldn’t be happier,” he said.

“She is in great order and the Doomben 10,000 will only bring her on and Eagle Farm and a bit of give in the track should be ideal.”

Not even heavy rain in Brisbane on Saturday could halt Azkadellia’s preparations.

The four-year-old was due to gallop at Eagle Farm on Saturday morning but the morning deluge put an end to that.

However, Maher had plan B up his sleeve meaning Azkadellia didn’t miss any work.

“She alternates on the treadmill so if this problem arises it is no problem,” he said.

“She did the equivalent on the treadmill to a nice striding piece of work.”

Azkadellia will have a hit out at Eagle Farm tomorrow as Maher applies the finishing touches on the Stradbroke favourite.

He admits it’s a different feeling heading into the race this year when compared to Srikandi in 2015.

“I was very confident after Srikandi’s work on the Tuesday and then when she drew the poll at Doomben I just thought everything was falling into place,” he said.

“She had some niggles and issues along the way but I felt she was pretty right heading into that race so I was pretty confident.

“Azkadellia is a different horse and obviously she races from the other end of the field but she has a better turn of foot than Srikandi but Srikandi made her own luck.

“They are two totally different horses but I’m really happy with where Azkadellia is at.”

Azkadellia, who will be ridden by Damien Oliver in the Stradbroke, finished second to Music Magnate in the Doomben 10,000 and the minor placing could be a blessing in disguise.

It meant Azkadellia didn’t cop a weight penalty for the Stradbroke but still had a tough hit out to bring her on for her main goal.

Meanwhile, Maher revealed he is giving serious consideration to taking Azkadellia to America for the Breeders’ Cup meet in November.

Azkadellia gained an automatic entry into the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Fillies and Mares race, to be held at Santa Anita Park in California in early November, after winning the Queen Of The Turf Stakes in Sydney in April.

“We are still working out the logistics but I just think it is a good opportunity for us,” Maher said.

“We will work out (whether we go or not) probably this week.”

■ Team Hawkes is now giving serious consideration to running Kaepernick in this Saturday’s Stradbroke Handicap. The gelding is likely to trial at the Sunshine Coast tomorrow.

■ Gold Coast jockey Jason Taylor has been booked to ride Takedown in the Stradbroke. Taylor won the Stradbroke on Sincero in 2011.

■ Maurus will run next in the Ipswich Cup after Saturday’s Eagle Farm Cup was abandoned.