Ciaron Maher has one runner safely in the field for this Saturday’s Listed VRC St Leger, but the champion trainer of stayers is hoping to have much greater representation in the Flemington feature.
Awesome Artist, Noble Falcon and Intervened join Tasmanian Derby winner Dad And Dave among the 28 entries for the $200,000 event over 2800 metres.
Awesome Artist should be right for a start in the event restricted to 18 plus four emergencies, but Noble Falcon and Intervened are outside the cut line and Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull is keen to see them sneak a run in the most suitable option available.
“We feel for those three it’s a good option and all horses are going to relish the trip,” Turnbull said.
“They’re all going to furnish and they’re going to learn with racing.
“They’re just raw young horses that are bred to stay and they’ll continue to learn and mature as they get older.”
Maher is chasing a second win in Victoria’s traditional Anzac Day feature, having won the 2021 edition with Through Irish Eyes when he trained in partnership with David Eustace.
Dad And Dave has finished down the tack at his past two starts, in the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2000m) and Listed Galilee Series Final (2400m), but is safely in the St Leger field thanks to Listed wins earlier in the Launceston Guineas (2000m) and Tasmanian Derby (2400m).
Awesome Artist finished 2-3/4 lengths behind Dad And Dave in the Galilee Final, which followed victory over 2000m at Canberra, and Turnbull said a solidly-run race would be his best chance of victory.
“They might have just went a fraction sedate throughout,” Turnbull said of the Galilee Final.
“He’s one-paced and needs a true gallop.”
Proisir gelding Noble Falcon was last seen finishing fourth behind stablemate Ardashir in a 2550m Pakenham maiden, having logged the lone placing of his four-start career the start prior over 2540m at Cranbourne.
Intervened, a son of Kermadec, is yet to place in three starts and has finished sixth at both starts this time, over 1600m and 2000m at Pakenham.
Others entered for the VRC St Leger include Dom Sutton-trained fillies After Summer and Classic Gem, third and fourth in the Group 1 ATC Oaks at their most recent appearance, Arabian Prince and ATC Derby also-rans Deal Done Fast and Savisanta.
