Ciaron Maher has previously used the Alister Clark Stakes as a stepping stone to the Australian Derby, but this time he’s hoping the path leads to the winner’s circle.

Maher will saddle up Shanwah in Saturday’s $2 million classic at Randwick, with the three-year-old bringing red-hot form into the race after four straight wins. His recent victories include strong performances in the Autumn Classic (1800m) at Caulfield and the Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) at Moonee Valley.

Although Maher has won the ATC Australian Derby (2400m) with Hitotsu (2022) and Explosive Jack (2021), Shanwah’s preparation has followed a different blueprint—modeled after Global Exchange and Ruthven.

“I brought him through the same path as a horse called Global Exchange, who ran sixth. He didn’t handle the wet,” Maher said.

“And another horse, Ruthven, that ran fourth. I took them through the same path.

I think he is better than those horses. Any sort of track wouldn’t worry him. He just keeps stepping up each time he runs.”

Bred by Too Darn Hot out of an Iffraaj mare, Shanwah has found a new gear since stretching out in distance, with his recent wins showcasing both stamina and class.

Maher believes the colt has the ideal profile to tackle the Derby, and his earlier experience racing in Sydney should serve him well going clockwise again at Randwick.

“He has been very good his last two and has won by a space both times,” Maher said.

“He has had a prep up here before so he is no stranger to this way of going.

Class counts for a lot in these three-year-old races and he’s got a lot of that.”

Saturday’s Derby has attracted a full field of 18 runners, with five emergencies waiting in the wings. Aeliana, the only filly in the race, has drawn perfectly in barrier two and leads the market at $3.50.

Shanwah is priced at $8 and will begin from gate four as he aims to deliver Maher a third Derby triumph.