Maher, who trains in partnership with David Eustace, has increased his footprint in Sydney by taking over an extra 30 boxes at Warwick Farm, raising his stable numbers to 80 in the harbour city.

Earlier this year Maher purchased a 300 acre property near Shoalhaven Heads in NSW with a view to establishing a unique horse training centre on the coast.

"We've got a lot of owners in NSW and in particular Sydney and we're looking at building on those numbers," Maher told ACM Racing.

"Racing in New South Wales is very buoyant. They offer different rating and pop-up races to Victoria which are wonderful initiatives.

"We've already filled the extra 30 boxes at Warwick Farm which takes our number to 80 in work in Sydney.

"It gives us the chance to switch horses between Sydney and Melbourne and place them in races that suit at various times of their preparations.

"We'll be developing the property at Shoalhaven Heads into a training and agistment centre late next year."

Maher's immediate racing focus centres on feature races at Moonee Valley on Friday night and Rosehill on Saturday.

The stable, which has trained 26 group one features, is trying to add to that tally with three runners - Generation, Coolangatta and Bella Nipotina - in the $1 million group one Moir Stakes (1000 metres) around the Valley, while Fast Witness will fly the stable flag in the $1 million Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

"They don't just hand out group one wins. They are always tough races to win and the features on Friday night and Saturday are no different."

The Caulfield Cup-winning trainer said track gallops put in by Generation, Coolangatta and Bella Nipotina at Moonee Valley on Monday morning were very pleasing in the lead up to Friday nights Moir Stakes..

"The trio worked over 800 metres and all worked well. I really can't split Generation and Coolangatta but on the other hand I can make a case for Bella Nipotina because she's got an excellent record around the Valley.

"I thought the first-up run by Coolangatta in the McEwen was huge. She's derived a lot of benefit out of that first-up performance.

"Coolangatta has drawn barrier one and I think that's an advantage in any race and we've got Jamie Kah on board.

"Jamie rode her in the McEwen and in her track gallop on Monday and is happy with how she's progressing. Generation has come back into work a lot stronger colt.

"His first-up effort in the Heath was excellent. He's drawn perfectly in barrier two and drops back from the 1100 metres in the Heath to the 1000 metres in the Moir. I think he'll be in the finish going on his work."

Bella Nipotina has drawn barrier 11 in the 12 horse field and that is a concern for the master trainer.

"I would have preferred if Bella Nipotina had drawn a better barrier," he said. "She's drawn the car park and will need luck from out there but there's nothing wrong with her form. She's got a very good record around the Valley which should hold her in good stead."

Early betting markets for the 1000-metre speed test around the Valley rate Generation a $9 chance, Bella Nipotina $13 and Coolangatta a $10 hope.

Maher has called on the services of Regan Bayliss to ride Fast Witness in the Golden Rose at Rosehill.