Ciaron Maher has outlined his plans for his quality team of middle-distance gallopers. The exciting Akavoroun, beaten only twice in eight starts, will now go to the Group 1 $400,000 Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 28 for his next start.
Maher told TVN’s Bruce Clark on Tuesday morning the five-year-old had come through his first-up sixth in the Group 3 $150,000 Bobby Lewis (1200m) at Flemington last Saturday in fine style.
“I was very happy with his first-up run and he’s come through that really well,” he said.
Mr O’Ceirin, who ran sixth behind He’s Your Man in the Group 3 $125,000 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) in Sydney last Saturday, will return to Melbourne and run in the JRA Cup (2040m) at The Valley on September 26, before going back to Sydney for the Group 1 $405,000 The Metropolitan (2400m), at Royal Randwick on October 4.
Mr O’Ceirin has been given the attractive weight of 53.5kgs in The Metropolitan.
Maher’s promising import, Marksmanship, felt the firm ground at Flemington last Saturday when seventh behindWho Shot Thebarman, beaten more than 10 lengths.
Maher said the horse was a 'possibility' to now go to the Group 2 $200,000 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield on October 11.