Ciaron Maher and his team were left scratching their heads after the first-up performance of Circle Of Fire at Flemington.
The Sydney Cup winner finished last, more than 20 lengths astern of Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) on September 14.
Circle Of Fire gets the chance to show that was not an indicator of his true ability when he lines up in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull simply said the run was below par and after being thoroughly vetted there was no excuse for the performance.
Turnbull said if Circle Of Fire had been beaten 10 lengths in the Makybe Diva, you could possibly blame the deteriorating track conditions.
He said jockey Mark Zahra had relayed the entire did not feel uncomfortable in the ground.
“He did pull, which is amazing to think in a race with Pride Of Jenni in it, but in the group he was in, he did over-travel,” Turnbull said.
“He had his mouth open, and it’s hard to say if he got his tongue back and choked down or anything like that, but he checked out fine.
“We have added a tongue tie and a crossover noseband because he has a tendency to be heavy-headed, which he showed even in the Sydney Cup and the lead-up to it.
“He’s had a good few bits of work, and has taken to it extremely well, and everything’s positive coming out of it.
“So, hopefully, he races that way Saturday.”
Stablemate Duke De Sessa will also run in the Turnbull looking to register his first win in Australia.
Duke De Sessa finished fourth in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on September 21 in a run that pleased the Maher team.
Maher won the Turnbull two years ago with Smokin’ Romans, a $21 outsider, who went on to run the $3.90 favourite in the Caulfield Cup, finishing seventh to Durston.
“He ran well in the Underwood, and there is some rain forecast, which will help,” Turnbull said.
“It’s a nice lead-up into a Caulfield Cup, which will be where we’re heading. He’s much better this year than last, for the spring and he’s racing in good order.
“He’s been up against tough opposition, because we think he’s up to it, but it would be nice to see him lob one pretty soon.”
