Set Square kicks off her Caulfield Cup campaign on Memsie Stakes day but trainer Ciaron Maher is planning to bypass the Group One feature and start the mare’s campaign in a handicap on the undercard.
“I’m going to run her in the open handicap, I think,” Maher said.
Last season’s VRC Oaks winner is among 26 nominations in the Group One Memsie and is also entered in the open handicap and the mares’ handicap, all over 1400 metres.
Maher says Set Square has come up in great order for her spring campaign and believes the open handicap, where apprentice Patrick Moloney can claim 1.5kg, is the right first-up option.
“It’s a decent Memsie this year,” Maher said.
“It is going to be a full field and I just think being a mare first-up, I think where she gets in on the weights it’s a better option in the handicap.”
The Memsie Stakes nominations feature nine Group One winners including 2013 Caulfield Cup winner Fawkner and multiple Group One winners Boban and Happy Trails.
Set Square had a quiet trial at Cranbourne earlier this month and Maher was pleased with her Caulfield jump-out last week.
“She’s still got a fair bit of condition on her and her goals are a bit later but it’s a nice kick-off for her,” Maher said.
“She’s a bigger, stronger mare now and I’m looking forward to getting her back to the races.”
The Caulfield Cup is Set Square’s main target.
“Four-year-old mares have got a good record in it. That’s her aim and hopefully she comes up to the mark,” Maher said.
Maher has imported stayer Kapour nominated for the Listed Slickpix Stakes (1700m) at Caulfield and the Listed Premier’s Cup (1800m) at Rosehill.
He is yet to make a final decision but says if Kapour runs this week it is likely to be at Caulfield.
He also has the option of waiting a week for a 2000m handicap at Moonee Valley.
“His aims are The Metropolitan or The Bart Cummings,” Maher said.
“He’s had two trials and he’s in good nick.”
Maher said three-year-old colt Brockhoff would run in the McNeil Stakes at Caulfield instead of the Run To The Rose in Sydney, while Akavoroun is set to resume in Saturday’s Group Three The Heath over 1100m at Caulfield.
