Set Square to lead Maher’s carnival team

A coveted Oaks double is the target for Set Square who is back in work preparing for the autumn.

The Ciaron Maher-trained filly capped a stunning rise to prominence in the spring with victory in the Group One VRC Oaks at Flemington at just her fourth start.

“It was amazing,” Maher said.

“She’s just a real natural little racehorse and natural stayer.”

Maher is hoping Set Square will be able to join a select group of fillies to follow a VRC Oaks win with victory in the ATC Australian Oaks at Randwick in the autumn.

Serenade Rose in 2005/06 is the last to have completed the double.

Set Square is doing pace work as she prepares for her return.

“She had a month off and she’s good,” Maher said.

“She will go for the Oaks and Light Up Manhattan will go for the Derby.”

Maher said a preparation had been mapped out for Set Square which comprised mostly set weights races for fillies in both Melbourne and Sydney leading up to the Oaks.

Light Up Manhattan, who finished fourth in the Victoria Derby, will target the Australian Derby while stakes winner Akavoroun is also a chance to contest Sydney Group One races with the George Ryder Stakes and Doncaster Mile on the radar.

Maher is also looking forward to getting Srikandi back to the races in 2015, with the trainer to again aim the mare at the Brisbane winter carnival.

Srikandi has not raced since her successful winter campaign in Queensland this year when she won the Silk Stocking, the Juanmo Stakes and the Glenlogan Park Stakes before finishing third in the Stradbroke Handicap.

A planned spring preparation was aborted when she was found to have a mild virus.

“She was going to run in the top-class races and they’ve got to be 110 per cent, so we just thought we’d give her a break and then get her ready for Brisbane again,” Maher said.

The Group One BTC Cup, Doomben 10,000, Stradbroke Handicap and Tatt’s Tiara have all been pencilled in for Srikandi.

Article from justhorseracing.com.au

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