Maher pair out to confirm spring claims in Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock Stakes

Ciaron Maher has never been better placed to make a spring impact.

Maher, who claimed a Group One win at triple-figure odds with Tears I Cry in the 2007 Emirates Stakes, insists he has an ideal team of carnival horses.

“It’s probably the best team I’ve had since I started training,” Maher said.

“There’s horses like Marksmanship, Mr O’Ceirin, Akavoroun, Srikandi.”

Also on Maher’s spring radar is the stakes-placed colt Light Up Manhattan and the imported Kapour who is yet to make his Australian debut.

“There’s probably half a dozen proper horses there,” Maher said.

Marksmanship and Mr O’Ceirin step out in Saturday’s Listed Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock Stakes (1700m) at Caulfield.

Maher won the race in 2010 with Moudre and Mr O’Ceirin was narrowly beaten last year before going on to win the Naturalism Stakes.

Mr O’Ceirin is joint favourite at $7 with Marksmanship on the second line at $9.

Marksmanship is unbeaten in three starts for Maher since the former Lloyd Williams-owned galloper was purchased from a dispersal sale.

Wins at Cranbourne and Caulfield were followed by his win in the Banjo Paterson Series Final (2600m) at Flemington last month.

Maher sent Marksmanship for a three-week freshen up on a farm but he stayed in work and has residual fitness heading into Saturday.

“He’s nice and fresh, drawn well and it’s an even sort of race by the look of it,” Maher said.

Mr O’Ceirin also has some conditioning on his side from a winter campaign in Queensland and Maher said he was in good order for another shot at the race.

“He seems to go well early in his campaign and he has run well in these types of races the past two years,” Maher said.

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