A start for Loving Gaby’s first foal at Caulfield this Saturday is up in the air, but even if she is withdrawn Ciaron Maher will still have a well-related youngster engaged.
The 1100-metre event will be the first start for Berezka, a sister to Group 2 placegetter Nadal, who ran sixth in last year’s Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes.
Like that speedy three-year-old colt, Berezka is by Xtravagant out of Moshki.
Maher bought Berezka for $75,000 at last year’s Inglis Premier Yearling Sale and assistant trainer Jack Turnbull has been impressed with what he has seen from her.
“We bought her off the back of him, it’s a fairly cheap family really when you look at the sale prices, but they can all gallop,” Turnbull said.
Berezka has had two 800m jumpouts in recent weeks in preparation for the debut, the most recent realising a strong win over Caulfield rival Sirena at Cranbourne on July 1.
“Her barrier manners were one aspect why she’s got to the races a little bit late, but her brother wasn’t super early either and I think it’s just a trait of the family,” Turnbull said.
“Nadal is fast and she is fast, too, and very professional. I think she can run quite well on Saturday.”
Berezka has drawn barrier 11 with Ben Allen to ride, while Jye Mcneil will partner Just Like Gaby if she runs from the outside gate.
Just Like Gaby was also nominated for Saturday’s Newcastle meeting and while Maher did not accept there, she was entered for both Sandown and Randwick next Wednesday after the Caulfield field was drawn.
Her name suggests Just Like Gaby displays some similar attributes to her powerful mother, who was a three-time Group 1 winner, and Turnbull has been impressed by her athleticism.
“They’re very similar, hopefully she can gallop half as good,” Turnbull said of the $800,000 Magic Millions yearling.
