Ciaron Maher and hometown Cups have not been a happy mix for the trainer.
With his major Victorian bases at Cranbourne and Ballarat, to date only the Cranbourne Cup has gone his way with Dr Drill and Charterhouse being successful when in a training partnership with David Eustace.
At Ballarat he is yet to open his account while he’s also winless in his hometown of Warrnambool.
But Maher is confident the Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) on Saturday can fall his way.
Maher has eight of the 39 entries for the race – Future History, Kettle Hill, Herman Hesse, Strawberry Rock, Charterhouse, Mankayan, Smokin’ Romans and New Energy.
Future History is the one Maher is most excited about, given the gelding was beaten 5-¼ lengths behind Via Sistina when fourth in the Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival at his most recent outing.
That effort came off the back of a victory in the Group 3 JRA Cup at Moonee Valley on October 26.
Future History came to Australia with form in France up 2000m, but in his first campaign for Maher won The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington in October last year which in turn led to a start in the Melbourne Cup (3200m), finishing 15th to Without A Fight.
Tried again over 2400m three starts ago in Sydney, Maher brought Future History back to 2000m for his past two starts and believes that is where the geldings best form lies.
Since his last start run behind Via Sistina, Future History won a four-horse jump-out over 1400m at Cranbourne on November 25.
“He ran a PB last start, and he’s trialled really well since,” Maher said.
“He’s been in consistent form all prep and it was a little bit of a throw at the stumps last time, but he came up very well.
“It’s arguable, but on that effort, you would probably say it (2000m) is his best trip.
“He’s a horse in a good spot and I think he’ll be hard to beat.”
