CIARON Maher is no stranger to winning races but it is group one winners the former Koroit junior footballer loves to train and he gets another chance for black-type success with Beach Life in the $1.5 million VRC Derby at Flemington on Saturday.
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Maher, who won his first group one race with Tears I Cry in the 2007 Emirates Stakes at Flemington, took his tally to eight when Jameka won the Caulfield Cup a fortnight ago.
“I love winning anywhere, but to win group one races is extra special,” he said.
“It means all the planning and hard work has come off, which is pretty satisfying for the owners and our staff.”
Beach Life, a $65,000 purchase at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, has won one of his six starts in a 1500-metre maiden at Mornington in September, but Maher is quietly confident the three-year-old will run out the 2500 metres of the Derby.
“I suppose Beach Life is not bred to run a strong 2500 metres,” he said.
“He's by (a) sprinting sire, but I've increased his work rate and he's taken up the challenge.
“I thought his run in the Caulfield Classic over 2000 metres was good as he was caught wide on the turn.”
Nick Hall, who rode Jameka to victory in the Caulfield Cup for Maher, will ride Beach Life in the group one classic.
Bon Aurum, who won the group one Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield two runs ago for Maher, is a $31 chance to win the $1 million Cantala Stakes on the opening day of the four-day Flemington carnival.
Throssell and Chloe In Paris are Maher's other runners on the nine-race card.
Warrnambool’s Jarrod McLean saddles up My Girl Chilly in the $300,000 Wakefield Stakes as she tries to force her way into the field for the VRC Oaks on Thursday.
Palentino, Stratum Star, Voodoo Lad and Real Love – all trained at Darren Weir's Warrnambool satellite stable – have each-way hopes in their respective races on a tough nine-race program for punters.
