The Ciaron Maher team holds great expectations for the imported runner Zahrann as he steps out for his first Australian appearance at Bendigo.

The Listed Golden Mile (1600m) this Saturday marks the seventh race outing for the Irish-bred horse, arriving Down Under with solid credentials to his name.

Bendigo is known as the ‘Nursery of Champions’, where top performers like Better Loosen Up, Hyperno and Salamander launched their paths, making it an ideal venue for newcomers from overseas to commence their local journeys.

Observational, trained by Robert Hickmott and in the ownership of Lloyd and Nick Williams, took out the Golden Mile back in 2015 on his initial Australian run.

Zahrann has raced just once below 2000m, securing a runner-up finish in a Navan maiden over 1609m at his first appearance in April of last year.

Jack Turnbull, who serves as National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, admitted uncertainty regarding the entire’s performance following two jump-outs in readiness for his comeback on Saturday.

“I won’t say it will be too short, but in a perfect world he’s going to want a bit further,” Turnbull said.

“He takes a lot riding. He’s a very complacent animal, but when he puts his mind to it, he can really have a crack.

“He’s really exciting for the spring and that was why he was purchased, ideally for a race like the Caulfield Cup and you go through his form in Europe, it’s pretty exciting.

“If we can capture a bit of that on Saturday and build off that, that would be great, and our plan is to get to the spring.”

Turnbull noted that the outcome of Saturday’s event will shape the stable’s next moves.

He mentioned possibilities of heading to Brisbane in the north or easing up ahead of the spring targets.

“The spring comes around very quick,” Turnbull said.

“I wouldn’t say he will spell between now and spring, it’s just where he ticks over, in what location.”

Turnbull explained the gradual preparation for Zahrann since his arrival in Australia last year.

The stallion faced some foot problems upon landing that needed fixing.

“When we started with him, we trained him barefoot for a while, took him back to basics, and had our farrier team get on top of him,” Turnbull said.

“He had a few small hiccups, but looking back, we’re well on top of that now.

“He’s a very attractive stallion and being Bendigo, a lovely galloping track, a lovely surface, it should be ideal.

“He’ll be asked to step away, hold a spot somewhere, hopefully that’s midfield, or thereabouts and then have one run at them to be finishing off, and if that is good enough, then that’s great, otherwise we build and look for something a little longer.”

The Maher outfit also fields Holymanz in the Saturday feature, with Turnbull confirming the gelding arrives in top shape.

Holymanz was fifth last time on a soft surface at Flemington, yet impressed in a recent trial at Cranbourne according to Turnbull.

“As I always say, you would love to own him,” Turnbull said.

“He’s so well. He’s had a little jump-out since his last run. He’s fresh, so consistent and the mile is his trip.

“If he runs to his level and gets a smooth run, I’m sure he’s good enough.”

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