Many had questioned The Next Episode’s form after his two-year-old season, but the Ciaron Maher stable remained confident.
That confidence proved well-founded on Saturday when The Next Episode captured the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1100m) at Flemington. This victory now positions the colt for a tilt at the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) on October 31.
Ridden by Mark Zahra, The Next Episode ($3.30) edged out the $2.70 favourite Natural Fling by a short neck, with Mbube ($16) finishing a length further back in third.
Maher stated that he wasn’t worried by The Next Episode’s less-than-stellar trial performances in Sydney.
He noted the colt had communicated that he wasn’t ready.
“He had a couple of trials in Sydney and wasn’t quite ready, so we brought him down here and he was very slick behind Jimmy (Jimmysstar),” Maher explained. “I thought we were right back on track then and I wanted to give him a look down the straight so that wouldn’t be an excuse.”
“We had a trial here the other day and I was mindful he blew the clock up 10 days earlier and I wanted to keep him on the bit and have him ready for today.”
“Then when the rain came, it’s documented that he handles that sort of track, so I wasn’t concerned.”
“It was a beautiful ride by Mark, and he knew what he had underneath him.”
“He rides those horses so well, when they need a bit of confidence and it’s a credit to him.”
Maher mentioned that the colt’s recovery from his tough Saturday win would be assessed before confirming if another start was needed prior to the Coolmore Stud Stakes.
The trainer suggested the Group 3 Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on October 17 was an option if the colt required another race.
“He’s thrived and he will still improve,” Maher said. “His coat has to come on a bit, and he should present well in four weeks’ time.”
“The plan is to have another run, but we’ll just see how he comes through. He’s a good colt and four weeks is the plan, so we’ll see if he has another run.”
With the Coolmore Stud Stakes on the horizon for The Next Episode, explore the available betting markets for the race.
