The right form line for The Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) was the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) and that proved true, but not in the way many would’ve predicted, with $31 chance Another Prophet reversing the three-length margin over $3.20 betting sites favourite Aeliana from Flemington.
Ridden by Ethan Brown, Another Prophet was afforded the perfect run just behind the pace with cover, presenting strongly in the straight to deliver trainer Ciaron Maher his first Thousand Guineas, holding off a fast-finishing Aeliana by a long neck, with leader Too Darn Lizzie ($26) sticking on gamely for a narrow third.
“We thought there was a little bit of improvement in her coming out of her last run and she actually ran a peak last start so that gave us the confidence going forward. It was obviously a bit of a roll at the stumps but that was the science behind it,” Maher said.
“She’d thrived (since Flemington) and as I said to (Ethan) Brownie going out ‘well, I think we can win this.’
“(I was confident) the whole way. I was actually just watching Brownie and wanting her to drop her head after the first furlong or so. Once I saw her nose drop, I thought ‘gee, we’re in business here’.
“Just fantastic, Brownie. He’s a good mate, we’ve had some great wins together and hopefully there’s plenty more in store.”
Brown notched up his fifth career Group 1 win, with four of those five now coming for Ciaron Maher, and the twenty-five-year-old hoop said everything went to plan.
“Lobbed in a beautiful spot. She was a bit keen early, I was a bit worried about that, but as Ciaron said once she dropped her head she travelled sweet and built into it beautifully and showed her true colours today,” Brown said.
“A bit of cover was essential so I have to contain her early and once we got that first half right, it was easy from then.”
Brown is enjoying a successful Spring having also ridden Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) winner Mornington Glory in September and said he’s glad the results are starting to flow.
“It is always your goal to ride a Group 1 winner – let alone a couple – throughout the spring. It was a rocky road, it wasn’t easy, but I’ve had some great people around me,” Brown said.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet. I’ve only ridden five (G1s) and they still all feel like my first. I’ve got a long way to catch J-Mac.”
