Ciaron Maher wants another chance to qualify Mr O’Ceirin for the Caulfield Cup after the stayer narrowly missed a run in last year’s race.
Mr O’Ceirin proved a class above his off-season rivals in Saturday’s Printhouse Graphics Handicap (2040m) at Moonee Valley with premiership-leading jockey Glen Boss in the saddle.
Boss is set to have a “clean-up” operation on his left knee next Wednesday but is 21 wins clear in the Melbourne premiership after Luke Nolen also rode a winner on Saturday.
Before having the operation Boss will attend a reconvened stewards inquiry on Monday into the fall of jockey Kane Bradley at Mornington this week.
Stewards took evidence from Boss and Peter Mertens on the day but adjourned so they could speak to Bradley who had to be taken to hospital.
Mr O’Ceirin, the $3.40 favourite, sat outside the leader in Saturday’s race before taking over from the 600m.
He powered away in the straight to defeat De Fine Lago ($5.50) by 3-1/2 lengths with three quarters of a length to Westsouthwest ($4.60) third.
“That’s the way he races. He pulls and tugs and gets up there and makes his own luck,” Maher said.
“It looked like he had a bit on them and that’s how it panned out.”
The five-year-old gelding was second-up over 2040m and Maher believes his best trip will be 2400m.
Mr O’Ceirin was beaten a half-length in last year’s Naturalism Stakes which carried ballot exemption to the Caulfield Cup for the winner.
“He was a bit stiff not to get into the Caulfield Cup last year,” Maher said.
“He had a good run in the Naturalism but just got caught. He might be a bit stronger this year.”
Maher is not the only trainer with spring carnival aspirations for a runner from Saturday’s Moonee Valley meeting.
Tony Vasil is planning a Caulfield Guineas assault with rising three-year-old Prince Harada who came from last to stylishly win his city debut in the Alternate Railway Handicap (1200m).
Vasil, who has prepared Elvstroem and Haradasun, rates Prince Harada potentially one of the best horses he has trained.
