WINSLOW-raised Ciaron Maher moved one step closer to training winners in Australia's big three races - the Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup - when Irish-bred stayer Sir Dragonet won the 100th running of the $5 million Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
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Sir Dragonet, with champion jockey Glen Boss in the saddle, beat Armory by more than a length with Russian Camelot back in third place in the weight-for-age championship.
Maher, who trains in partnership with David Eustace, won the 2016 Caulfield Cup with Jameka and may win Australia's other big feature - the $7.75 million Melbourne Cup - with Sir Dragonet at Flemington on November 3.
Bookmakers slashed Sir Dragonet's price for the Melbourne Cup from $34 to $9 following his Cox Plate victory.
Maher told The Standard training the winner of the 100th running of the Cox Plate was a career highlight.
"It's incredible feeling to think we've trained the 100th winner of the Cox Plate," he said.
"It's a massive thrill. I've got to thank the owners and my training partner David Eustace and all our staff.
"We've only had Sir Dragonet in our stable just over two weeks but we knew about his overseas form.
"He came to us very well credentialed from Aidan O'Brien."
Maher said many people had played a role in Sir Dragonet's rise.
"I've got to thank Dave's brother Harry and his father James.
"They looked after Sir Dragonet at Newmarket after he left Aidan's stable."
Maher will now turn his attention to the race that stops a nation.
"Sir Dragonet is a phenomenal horse and now we'll push forward with him to the Melbourne Cup," he said.
"The owners bought Sir Dragonet for the Melbourne Cup so a win in the Cox Plate is a bonus.
"It's onwards and upwards to the Melbourne Cup. I've also got to acknowledge Bossy.
"He's just such a great big race jockey. Bossy's record in the Cox Plate is outstanding."
Three-year-old colt Grandslam, a stablemate of Sir Dragonet, ran 14th in the Cox Plate.
The Maher-Eustace training combination looks like having three runners in the Melbourne Cup.
Persan is already in the field while Etah James, who ran fourth in the Moonee Valley Cup, is rated number 21 in the order of entry for the 24-horse field.
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