The Ciaron Maher stable is launching the racing campaigns of two promising young horses at Caulfield this Saturday, with aspirations for them to compete at higher levels during the spring racing season.

Ghana’s Akan and Milsons Point are set to contest the Stow Robotics Handicap over 1100 metres, marking their first appearance since the autumn racing period.

Milsons Point has undergone gelding since his last start in the VOBIS Showdown (1200m) at Caulfield back in March. Jack Turnbull, the National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, indicated that Saturday’s race serves as a suitable starting point, with more significant races on the horizon.

“He’s a big lad,” Turnbull commented on Milsons Point. “Last prep he was strong as a colt, but he has softened up a touch as a gelding. He is a miler, that’s his future, so he’ll go up in trip pretty quick.”

Milsons Point has completed two jump-outs in preparation for his return, including a victory in an 800-metre heat at Caulfield last week.

“We’re pleased with how he’s come back, but his Grand Finals are down the track,” Turnbull stated. “The Caulfield Guineas would be his Grand Final, but we don’t know if he’s good enough. We’ll give him his chance to get there in races like the Mike Moroney at Flemington, the Prelude or the Stutt Stakes.”

Ghana’s Akan is still seeking her maiden win after four starts, but she boasts two second-place finishes and has accumulated nearly $470,000 in prize money.

The daughter of Street Boss secured second in the Inglis Millennium at Randwick before concluding her preparation with a fifth-place finish in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield.

Despite not yet winning, Ghana’s Akan has been assigned top weight of 59kg, which will be reduced by the 3kg claim from jockey Jabez Johnstone.

“We were sort of surprised in a way with the weight, but she’s a talented filly that put the writing on the wall last prep,” Turnbull remarked. “She’s strengthened up but will be better again coming out of the spring into the autumn. She’s quick, she had a nice trial last week and she’s cleaned up in the skin.”

Turnbull suggested that Ghana’s Akan would be kept to sprinting distances throughout the spring, with the Group 3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on August 15 a potential early target.

“The three weeks should work well, so that’s her path,” Turnbull added. “I think she’s more short course. That’s the way we see her, and I think the 1100 and 1200 metres is her go this prep.”

The Stow Robotics Handicap presents a good starting point for these two talented gallopers as they embark on their spring campaigns.

You can find competitive racing odds for Saturday’s Caulfield meeting at leading Australian betting sites.