Ciaron Maher spoils for Turnbull Stakes upset with Group 1 triple treat

Ciaron Maher is happy to spoil the party in Saturday’s Group 1 Turnbull Stakes, declaring the Flemington feature anything but a two-horse race.

Sir Dragonet (left) working with Persan at Moonee Valley.

Nobody is happier than Ciaron Maher to see the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes billed as a two-horse match-race between Verry Elleegant and Incentivise.

Maher, who trains in partnership with David Eustace, has three of the remaining eight starters in the $1m Flemington feature on Saturday.

Reigning Cox Plate champion Sir Dragonet is rated a $9 chance with TAB to knockout Verry Elleegant ($2.40) and Incentivise ($2.80).

Persan ($18) and dual Group 1 derby beast Explosive Jack ($34) caps the Maher-Eustace triple-treat.

“The hype’s great but by no means is it a two-horse race, no, no,” Maher said.

“I’m really happy with the three of them actually.

“Sir Dragonet was super (in the Makybe Diva) and Explosive Jack poked through nicely in behind them there and probably flew under the radar a bit.

“Persan was a slashing run behind Floating Artist, who franked the form again, he’s not the worst either and gets in with a nice weight.”

Persan won on the corresponding day last year, taking out the Group III The Bart Cummings to clinch to golden ticket into the Melbourne Cup.

While Persan and Explosive Jack should find prominent spots forward and midfield, Maher will rely on the craft of jockey Ben Allen to find cover for Sir Dragonet from barrier 10.

Allen settled off the rail midfield first-up in the Makybe Diva Stakes and despite giving Peter Moody-trained Incentivise a six-length start in the straight third-placed Sir Dragonet got within half-a-length.

“Moods’ horses obviously is an on-pacer and quickens off that so imagine he will do the same,” Maher said.

“Dragon closed off well last start, I’d say the extra distance will ideal for him. It was a huge run

“I think he has come up better (this campaign), we know the horse better, he was a little fresh there in the autumn and then we got him screwed down when he went to Sydney.

“That was our first prep from scratch, we just knowing the horse better.”

Another strong performance and especially an against-the-odds victory would see Allen in the box seat to retain the ride on Sir Dragonet looking ahead towards the $5m Cox Plate.

“Ben’s a high quality jockey, probably gets a little bit restricted now by his weight but he does a lot for us and he’s always been a very high quality jockey I feel,” Maher said.

“I wanted someone to stick with the horse, he‘s a bit of his own man and Ben’s done a lot with him and it showed first-up. If he wins on him on Saturday he’ll be in the driver’s seat for the next one.”

Verry Elleegant has continued to be the subject of sustained betting interest with TAB, including a $5000 bet for the champion mare to place at $1.22.

Colette has eased following confirmation by Racing Victoria stewards the Godolphin mare is developing a foot abscess.

Adam Trinder‘s mindset has gone from relief to an eye on redemption as Mystic Journey looks to bolster Group 1 Empire Rose credentials in Saturday’s Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes at Flemington.

The star Tasmanian mare has done nothing but impress Trinder since a slashing second at Flemington in the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes on September 11, first up after seven-month break due to knee surgery.

Mystic Journey, who checked in to Flemington on Friday after sailing overnight on the Spirit Of Tasmania, posted not only the fastest last 200m of the Let’s Elope but of the entire Makybe Diva Stakes meeting.

“It (fast sectionals) doesn’t pay many bills but still adds solace to the performance,” Trinder said of the mare affectionately known as ‘Betty’.

“I’d been really happy with her at home, buoyant, lovely and fluent in her action, but still to see her go to the races in a public domain and perform the way she did was terribly satisfying and relieving as well.

“You need to see them do it in the public arena.”

The finish behind Turaath has not gone unnoticed, with Mystic Journey a firm $4.20 TAB favourite on Saturday ahead of Annavisto ($5), Instant Celebrity ($6.50), Still A Star ($6.50) and Odeum ($7.50).