Ciaron Mahar has had little time to celebrate Regina Coeli’s Grand Annual Steeplechase win at Warrnambool, with the trainer’s focus now on her stablemates ahead of their assignments in Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide.
Regina Coeili gave Mahar his third Grand Annual win on Thursday after which the trainer headed to Brisbane for a luncheon previewing the Group One BTC Cup at Doomben where Srikandi lines up.
It has been a hectic week for Mahar and his staff with a big team of runners at Warrnambool’s three-day carnival while on Saturday his interstate runners include Duibio in the Adelaide Guineas at Morphettville.
At Flemington, Hard Romp runs in heat two of the Victorian Sprint Series and is one of five runners Mahar hopes can keep the home fires burning on Saturday.
In-form apprentice Michael Dee will take a 2kg claim on Hard Romp, bringing the gelding into the race with 52kg, just 1kg more than he carried to defeat Ball Of Muscle over the straight 1000m course on April 11.
That straight track win added a new and welcome dimension to his repertoire.
“I think he’s better off on a straight course now than what he is on a bend,” Mahar said.
“I toyed with the idea of going to the Wangoom (Warrnambool’s feature sprint) but he just gets uncomfortable on bends and I thought he’d like the straight, but you never know until you try them.”
“He’s a real competitor and I’m sure he’ll again acquit himself well.”
Hard Romp is an $8 chance with the Robert Smerdon trained filly Lumosty, having her first run since finishing out of the money in the VRC Oaks last spring, the $3 favourite ahead of Sydney visitor I’m All The Talk at $4.20.
Mahar said the month between runs was beneficial for Hard Romp.
“He’s got good fresh form,” Mahar said.
“It will be a month between runs, he’s had a jump-out and went well in between and the claim brings him in nicely.”
