Ciaron Maher assembling winter team
Melbourne trainer Ciaron Maher is considering adding unraced two-year-old Styleman to his Group One runners for the Brisbane winter carnival.
Maher has had considerable success in Queensland in recent years and was on hand in Brisbane to help launch a trainers’ challenge on Monday.
Styleman, a colt by Zoffany, won a trial by 2-1/2 lengths at Moe on Monday and Maher revealed he was weighing up a trip north for the youngster.
“I might be getting ahead of myself but he is big striding horse who looks like he will stretch out over bit of ground,” Maher said.
“The J J Atkins is back at Eagle Farm this year and that might suit him.”
The trainer, who won last year’s Group One Stradbroke Handicap with Srikandi, will map out Styleman’s campaign after returning to Victoria and speaking with staff.
Petits Filous, who has won four of her five starts, is also headed to Brisbane but she will have a first-up run at Caulfield.
She also won a trial at Moe on Monday.
“I think Doomben will suit her really well. She is a sharp and on-speed type,” Maher said.
He said he was hoping Azkadellia could sneak in the Doncaster Mile at Randwick on April 2 before also heading north.
“If she won that, she might get a fair bit of weight in the future but the idea is to bring her to Brisbane,” Maher said.
“Last year I had an on-speed horse (Srikandi) and Doomben was perfect for her but back at Eagle Farm it should suit Azkadellia.”