The Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) provided the ideal outcome for Ciaron Maher, as his leading Caulfield Cup contenders, Zahrann and Saint George, achieved their qualifying goals by finishing first and second.
Zahrann, the $3.20 favourite ridden by Ethan Brown, maintained a one-length advantage over his stablemate and second choice Saint George ($3.60). Asterix ($26) finished a further half-neck back in third.
The Naturalism Stakes, previously won by Half Yours who went on to claim the Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double last year, grants a ballot-free entry into the Caulfield Cup. This was crucial for Zahrann to guarantee a start, while Saint George needed a top-three finish to meet the ballot clause.
Despite the qualification requirement, the pair were already prominent in the Caulfield Cup betting. Zahrann is now the $6 favourite, with Saint George at $8. Maher expressed confidence in both horses’ prospects in the prestigious race.
“I think that qualifies them both today so fantastic,” Maher stated.
“I think George is already in, he just needed to qualify so can’t thank Ozzie (Kheir) and the whole team enough. They’ve had to be patient with Saint George and Zahrann is just a very, very good horse.
“Ozzie was very upbeat when he was able to purchase him.
“I actually spent some time with Johnny Murtaugh, who was his former trainer when I was on holidays this year. He gave me a pretty good rundown of him.
“They’re always better their second preparation and he’s going to get into the cup on a beautiful weight.”
Zahrann is set to carry 52.5kg in the Caulfield Cup, though a penalty for his Naturalism Stakes victory is possible. Saint George will carry 53.5kg. Although this weight might be challenging for Ethan Brown, he acknowledged the horse’s potential.
“He gets you excited, that’s for sure,” Brown commented.
“It’s what you get out of bed for in the morning. Ozzie (Kheir) rang me before he got here and said he had a good one and said I had to get on to Ciaron to have to ride it.
“He was primed today, he had a lovely run in transit. I had to trust the horse as I knew he had the turn of foot and he proved that today.”
For those looking to back a winner, consider the latest racing odds available at Australian betting sites.