The Ciaron Maher stable presented a strong pair in a Caulfield three-year-old race, with the less fancied runner ultimately emerging victorious.
Maher’s team fielded both the $2.40 favourite Decalogue and the $6.50 outsider Ichnusa in the Sportsbet Feed Handicap (2000m) on Saturday.
Decalogue’s chances were diminished by its tendency to over-race, finishing the event in fifth place. In contrast, Ichnusa charged along the outside to claim a half-length win over Our Chief ($5), with Dirnaseer ($9) securing third position, a further three-quarters of a length behind.
While the Maher camp had anticipated a win from Decalogue, Ichnusa’s performance was not entirely unexpected.
This marked Ichnusa’s second race start, following a debut victory over 1600m at Seymour.
Jack Turnbull, National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, explained that the stable had been patient with Ichnusa, acting on the counsel of part-owner and breeder Rick Jamieson.
“I thought he did a really good job as he travelled in patches,” Turnbull conveyed.
“The race was run at a farcical tempo. He was on the bit, he was off the bit, and he was running in and out.”
“He’s got such a big action and he’s such a talented horse and does it so easily.”
“His half-sister is Suntora which gets over a trip, and he is bred to get a mile-and-a-half and beyond.”
“Looking at genes, he’s a TT which suggests he’s going to be better for further development, and time.”
“When we were training him in his earlier stages, Rick was very keen for us to be patient and let him grow out, strengthen, and this is reward for that.”
Turnbull stated that the stable would assess Ichnusa’s recovery post-race before determining its next race.
Although Decalogue’s finishing position was disappointing, Turnbull felt the gelding’s effort was fair.
“He’s a bold travelling horse and when Jabez (Johnstone) wanted to come back and get cover, they were running trackwork times and that is not his go,” Turnbull commented.
“It is disappointing the race was run like that and if he was able to get out and run his own race, I’m sure he would have run much better.”
“He’s tricky in that he needs things to go his way, he needs galloping room but needs to take a sit.”
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