The Ciaron Maher stable demonstrated exceptional depth at Sandown, fielding four runners in a single race and achieving a flawless outcome.
Maher’s runners secured the top four positions in the Sportsbet Fixed Odds Exotics Plate (1200m) on Wednesday, delivering a substantial First Four dividend of over $1200 for a $1 stake.
With the skilled apprentice Jabez Johnstone in the saddle, Saintly Dancer ($5.50) triumphed over the $2.60 favourite Ghana’s Akan. Platinum Pearl ($26) completed the trifecta, finishing an additional three-quarters of a length behind.
Stipulation ($11) completed Maher’s clean sweep, finishing 1-½ lengths adrift of the third-placed runner.
Jack Turnbull, the National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, confirmed that representatives from all three of the stable’s Victorian locations participated in the race.
The victorious Saintly Dancer was prepared at the Ballarat stable, while the second-placed Ghana’s Akan was trained from their Cranbourne facility. Platinum Pearl and Stipulation had been housed at Fingal on the Mornington Peninsula in readiness for their respective debut performances.
“To the whole stable’s credit, they have run out of all three locations in this race,” Turnbull stated.
Turnbull elaborated that Saintly Dancer required a period of patient handling due to her early spirited nature but offered a preview of her talent when she finished second on debut at Geelong last month.
“She has taken a little management early days, always hot and active, but the Ballarat team has done a terrific job,” Turnbull remarked.
“We were chatting pre-race, and depending on how she went, would determine where we go, but the fact that she has won, and beat Ghana’s Akan, it sets us up to have a look at some better races in the next couple of weeks.
“She was purchased to get further, but 1400 metres, a mile, may be a question mark this time in, but we’ll just train the horse.
“We’ll let her tell us, even if we get her at the back end of spring, there is a lot of quality.”
Ghana’s Akan has now recorded her third second-place finish from six starts, despite accumulating nearly $500,000 in prize money.
Turnbull anticipates that the filly will break her maiden status without further delay.
“She travelled like she was going to win, but when you have a filly with Saintly Dancer’s ability coming off her back, without any ceiling, it could prove a very good form race,” Turnbull commented.
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