Ciaron Maher eyes Magic Millions redemption for Dubious ahead of the 3YO Guineas

If star jockey James McDonald’s advice for trainer and Magic Millions Polo rookie Ciaron Maher is anything to go by, Dubious can give hot pot Alligator Blood a fright in the $2 million Guineas.

James McDonald wins the Group 2 Champagne Classic at Doomben on Dubious. Picture: AAP

If star jockey James McDonald’s tongue-in-cheek advice for trainer and Magic Millions Polo rookie Ciaron Maher is anything to go by, Dubious is ready to give hot pot Alligator Blood a fright in the $2 million Guineas.

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After squaring off on opposing polo teams last Sunday, McDonald and Maher will join forces at Gold Coast in Saturday’s three year-old feature.

“He’s (McDonald) like ‘I’ve got to ride Dubious for you so don’t go too hard’,” Maher said on Monday about the pre-polo exchange.

McDonald has ridden Maher-David Eustace-trained Dubious once under race conditions for a Group 2 win at Doomben.

Ciaron Maher speaks to James McDonald after Dubious’s win.

The Sydney-based Kiwi hoop gave Dubious a soft pre-Christmas trial at Canterbury, allowing the $1 million earner to work through his gears to run second under a hold.

Queensland specialist Dubious, who was nabbed only in the final bounds of the 2YO Millions Classic last year, has registered two wins and a second in four Sunshine state starts.

James McDonald and Dubious combine for victory.

The blemish a 1.55-length fifth placing in the Group 1 Kingsford-Smith Cup last year.

Dubious, an $18 chance with TAB, enters the $2 million assignment six weeks between runs after closing off intently in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes in Perth despite bungling the start.

The blinkers will go back on Saturday in the hope of Dubious running out the 1400m trip.

“It was a top run last start, he was just slow away which was a bit annoying,” Maher said.

“He finished off really well and the sectionals were great but the 1400m is probably at the top (of his distance).”

Originally published as Ciaron Maher eyes Magic Millions redemption for Dubious ahead of the 3YO Guineas