CIARON Maher has won the Waterfront Lyndoch Living Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase four times but it will have added meaning if he can train the winner on Tuesday.
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Maher has taken all the accolades in the past but this time hopes to share the limelight with fellow trainer David Eustace.
Eustace came onboard more than two years ago and the Englishman complemented Maher's stable with a different skill set.
Novice jumper Ablaze and Bit Of A Lad represent the powerful yard in this year's race.
Maher acknowledged the hard work of his Ballarat staff who have prepared both horses for the 5500-metre race.
"I'm really happy with Ablaze and Bit Of A Lad going into the race," the Winslow export said.
"It's really hard for me to split both horses. Ablaze and Bit Of A Lad are trained at our Ballarat stables.
"The staff there have done a magnificent job, in particular I've got to mention my brother Declan. He's done an outstanding job.
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"Ablaze is the up-and-coming jumper. He's a very good stayer and that's needed at the end of 5500 metres.
"Bit Of Lad ran fourth in last year's race and he's more seasoned this year. It's also hard to go away from the tired-and-true Grand Annual performers in Zed Em and Gold Medals but my two runners should be very competitive in a tough race."
Zed Em is going for back-to-back wins in the Annual while Gold Medals won the race in 2018.
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