While Ciaron Maher enjoys a well-earned break, his stable remains focused on Finals Day at Flemington, where they will saddle a powerful team led by Detonator Jack and She’s An Artist.
Detonator Jack is set to tackle the Listed VRC-CRV Winter Championship Final (1600m), aiming to snap a winning drought stretching back to his triumph in The Gong (1600m) last November.
Despite not winning since then, the gelding has competed at a high level, including the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) and the lucrative 7+ Sport Stakes, making this weekend’s assignment comparatively easier.
“Detonator Jack ran really well first-up but he got a long way back,” said Maher’s assistant Leigh Allen.
“We thought he was a bit under what he normally is on returning but we can forgive him being a that far off them.”
“He’s been consistently running against black-type and group company, so he will know the difference here.”
Currently a $16 chance, Detonator Jack will have to overcome favourite Oh Too Good, who is at $2.70 for the Flemington feature.
Meanwhile, She’s An Artist looks to extend her unbeaten record in the Listed Creswick Stakes (1200m), following a strong straight-track win over 1100m on June 21.
“We gave her that look down the straight and she seemed to tick every box there,” Allen said.
“We were surprised with how well she won, not that she won, and it seems me to be a similar field but we are confident with how well she came through and she should be winning.
“We were going to straight into the Creswick after her Bendigo win but we did that with Pharari last year after winning at Ballarat and she folded in the Creswick because she didn’t handle the straight.”
“We learned from that, and she has improved again.”
Allen is also optimistic about Shockletz, who lines up in the Mahogany Challenge Final (2500m). The three-year-old daughter of Melbourne Cup (3200m) winner Shocking gets weight relief and looks suited to the distance.
Betting on Finals Day? Compare markets and get top promotions at justhorseracing.com.au.