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Accidental Bidding for a Rough Habit Plate start

Jockey in blue and white silks on a brown horse racing along the inner rail with a Ladbrokes banner nearby.

Accidental Bid (GB) ridden by John Allen wins the Race Day Medical Maiden Plate at Sportsbet Pakenham on March 19, 2026 in Pakenham, Australia. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos)

Accidental Bid is on his way to Queensland looking to gain a start in the Queensland Derby.

The Ciaron Maher-trained galloper is down to run in the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m) at Doomben on Saturday as the lead up towards the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on May 30.

Accidental Bid had been favourite for the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphetteville on May 2 but missed a start when first emergency at acceptance time.

There is a slight fear in the Maher team that Accidental Bid could again miss a start in the Rough Habit Plate which could place a start in the Queensland Derby in jeopardy.

Accidental Bid, a UK-bred three-year-old, is unbeaten in two Australian starts, winning a maiden over 1600m at Pakenham before scoring over 2000m at that track last month.

Jack Turnbull, the National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, said Accidental Bid had galloped last week at Ballarat before making his way to Sydney and in the middle of this week will make his way to Brisbane.

Despite having not raced in a month, Turnbull said Accidental Bid would strip fit on Saturday having travelled to Adelaide and back to Ballarat without a run.

β€œWe’ve been able to get work into him, factoring in the travel,” Turnbull said.

β€œHe did well, condition wise, without running in the South Australian Derby, so we were happy to gallop Wednesday, knowing that he was going to travel twice in a six-to-eight-day period.

β€œI don’t think we will be using fitness as a problem, but he will need the run to be fully prepared for the Derby.

β€œWe galloped him the reverse way, and he was very natural, which was helpful and I think he will be spot on for his next race and then he will improve again for the Derby trip.”

Despite the likelihood of not running in the South Australian Derby, the Maher team took the punt with Accidental Bid and travelled him to Adelaide.

β€œHe was ready to be led across the road,” Turnbull said.

β€œWe were waiting right until the death with him.

β€œCiaron was happy to have the travel as it does bring them on and he’s a placid colt.”

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