TRAINER Ciaron Maher has made a sensational change of heart, opting to run emerging star jumper Ablaze in Tuesday's $315,000 Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase.
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Maher told The Standard Ablaze and stablemate Bit Of A Lad would be among the acceptors for the 5500-metre race when they closed at 11am on Friday.
Ablaze, the winner of three of his jumps starts including a steeplechase at Warrnambool, trialled impressively over fences on Tuesday forcing Maher to abandon plans for a start in the Brierly Steeplechase in favour of the Grand Annual.
The Brierly and the Grand Annual will be run on the same day for the first time in history at the revamped meeting because of the coronavirus pandemic.
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The four-time Grand Annual Steeplechase-winning trainer, who trains in partnership with David Eustace, said the Brierly Steeplechase was always an on-pacers jumps race which might not suit Ablaze.
"I originally said we would run Ablaze in the Brierly but after weighing up lots of things we'll accept for him in the Grand Annual," he said.
"I just think the Grand Annual will be a better race for Ablaze.
"He's a very good stayer and he'll appreciate the 5500 metres of the Annual. We'll also accept with Bit Of A Lad.
"He ran fourth in last year's Annual and is more seasoned campaigner this season."
Maher's decision to accept with Ablaze has set up a mouth-watering clash against last year's Annual winner Zed Em and local jumping hero Gold Medals n Australia's feature steeplechase race.
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