Ciaron Maher has a big decision to make with his Group 1-winning mare Azkadellia - to chase a Cox Plate or international glory at the Breeders’ Cup series in California.

As a reward for her supreme effort in claiming the Group 1 Queen of the Turf Stakes on Day 2 of The Championships in Sydney, Azkadellia has gained an automatic entry into the $2 million Breeders' Cup Fillies and Mares race, to be held at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California in early November.

And while the invitation to attend the Breeders' Cup World Championships is a privilege, Maher told Ben Asgari that the clash with Melbourne’s Spring Carnival means he has a difficult decision to make.

“It’s great to be qualified and invited, so we’ll work out what we do with her,” Maher said.

 

Azkadellia (NZ)

Trainer C.Maher
Age 4YO
Sex Mare
Colour Bay or Brown
Prize Money $1,338,708
Last 5 21231
Career 14-6-5-2
POS Jockey Track Date DIST Race WGT MRG Odds  

 

“There’s a lot to digest so we’ll just take it one step at a time.”

In the meantime, the star mare is ready to fire for her upcoming assault on the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 on May 28.

“She just got up to Brisbane, she’s settling in there,” Maher explained.

“We’ll head towards the 10,000 and maybe the Stradbroke [Handicap on June 11].

“She had a freshen up, she had a week off and a week in the water walker, she put on a bit of condition and seems in good order.”