WINSLOW-raised trainer Ciaron Maher has no fear of his promising colt Holyfield jumping up in distance from 1400 metres to 1600 metres at his next start as the two-year-old tries to win his first group one race.
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Holyfield hung on to defeat Untamed and Time Is Precious in the group 3 Schweppevescence at Rosehill on Saturday and now Maher will target the group one Champagne Stakes at Randwick on April 18.
Maher, who trains in partnership with David Eustace, said Holyfield deserved a crack at running in the Champagne Stakes.
"I'm confident Holyfield will make the jump from 1400 metres to the 1600 metres," he said.
"It was a good win in the Schweppevescence. He was very strong at the end of the 1400 metres. He's always shown a lot of promise. He's won three of his four starts.
"Winning the group 3 Schweppevescence was a big bonus for his breeding prospects but a win in the Champagne Stakes will be a massive boost to his stud career."
Holyfield took his stake earnings to more then $133,000 with his victory on Saturday.
Holyfield's stablemate Mask Of Time ran a gallant second to Cascadian in the $160,000 Doncaster Prelude over 1500 metres at Rosehill.
"It was a top effort by Mask Of Time," Maher said.
"I thought he might have just held on but Cascadian just caught him on the line. Mask Of Time is a funny sort of horse.
"His two runs this time in work have been full of merit. We'll get him out over long distance races in the future."
Mask Of Time has won three of his 32 starts and earnt over $360,000 in prizemoney for his connections.
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