Champion trainer Ciaron Maher has Another Wil, Jimmysstar and Southport Tycoon aimed at 2024 Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes

Champion trainer Ciaron Maher has cornered the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) market even with “slight” doubt over favourite Another Wil.

Champion trainer Ciaron Maher has cornered the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) market even with “slight” doubt over favourite Another Wil.

Maher has Another Wil, $2.80 favourite with Ladbrokes, Jimmysstar ($3.60) and multiple Group 1 winner and Southport Tycoon ($6) all aimed at Caulfield on Saturday.

Another Wil was withdrawn from the Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m) last Saturday at Flemington with a minor temperature spike.

“If you ran him you’d probably have to go for a break,” Maher said.

“It’s only slightly elevated, so if it goes as quickly as it came he’ll be fine.

“He just had a slight temperature (Saturday morning) and they got to be 100 per cent.”

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Another Wil won the Group 2 Damien Oliver on Victoria Derby Day, an emotion-charged result for Maher and jockey Jamie Kah after the death of close friend and mentor, Colin McKenna.

The late McKenna, who bred Another Wil, died six days earlier.

Another Wil, a sentimental favourite, looked to be in trouble in the Damien Oliver when blocked for a run on the rail, but when a gap appeared he burst through to win from Jimmysstar.

“There’s bugger all between Jimmy and Wil,” Maher said.

“Wil see how he is, he’ll probably take his place if he’s OK.

“Wil was always going to get the better run the other day, Jimmy looked like he had the momentum, Wil got out, there’s not much between them.”

"I just wanted to make Col proud."

Jamie Kah paid a touching tribute to Colin McKenna after winning on Another Wil, and reveals the words of encouragement she received from the late owner’s wife.https://t.co/7b9gzy0jXg

— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) November 2, 2024

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Kah is booked to ride Another Wil on Saturday.

The star jockey has seven wins from eight starts on the five-year-old Street Boss gelding.

Jockey Damian Lane will ride Jimmysstar, while Maher indicated Mark Zahra would partner Southport Tycoon.

“Southport Tycoon will go there too,” Maher confirmed.

“He’s a good horse in good form, put a line through the race the other day.

“Three really nice horses (in the Rupert Clarke).”

It was only 13 months ago when a horse called Southport Tycoon broke his maiden on debut at Geelong 🔥

He's won two G1s & $2,093,350 in prizemoney since then 🤑@[e-mail]/sPxzLEPDge

— Racing.com (@Racing) September 30, 2024

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Southport Tycoon won the Group 1 Manikato Stakes three starts back then placed third in the Sydney Stakes, a rich consolation for horses that missed out on The Everest selection.

The Golden Eagle last start was a complete forgive run, with Southport Tycoon shuffled back to last on settling and forced to hunt runs up along the rail.

The dual Group 1 winner finished ninth, beaten 3.2 length, without ever being fully tested.

Maher, who won the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes in 2016 with Bon Aurum, claimed the JB Cummings Award last week for leading trainer at the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Maher notched five winners and 10 placings across the four-day carnival.

Originally published as Champion trainer Ciaron Maher has Another Wil, Jimmysstar and Southport Tycoon aimed at 2024 Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes