Ciaron Maher has used the Alister Clark Stakes as an Australian Derby lead-up in the past but he is hoping this time it can prove a winning formula.
The top trainer will saddle up emerging talent Shanwah in Saturday’s classic at Randwick, the three-year-old arriving at the race as the winner of his past four starts, including the Autumn Classic (1800m) at Caulfield and Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) at Moonee Valley.
While Maher has won the ATC Australian Derby (2400m) twice with Hitotsu (2022) and Explosive Jack (2021), but he says Shanwah’s preparation has been based on that of Global Exchange and Ruthven.
Global Exchange won the Autumn Classic and Alister Clark before finishing sixth in the 2019 Derby to Angel Of Truth, while Ruthven was fourth to Jon Snow two years earlier.
“I brought him through the same path as a horse called Global Exchange, who ran sixth. He didn’t handle the wet,” Maher said.
“And another horse, Ruthven, that ran fourth. I took them through the same path.
“I think he is better than those horses. Any sort of track wouldn’t worry him. He just keeps stepping up each time he runs.”
By exciting stallion Too Darn Hot, Shanwah is out of an Iffraaj mare and has been a revelation since stepping up in distance.
Maher believes he has the right mix of class and stamina for a Derby shot and having begun his career in Sydney, he has experience racing in the clockwise direction.
“He has been very good his last two and has won by a space both times,” Maher said.
“He has had a prep up here before so he is no stranger to this way of going.
“Class counts for a lot in these three-year-old races and he’s got a lot of that.”
A capacity field of 18 plus five reserves has been assembled for the $2 million Derby with Aeliana, the only filly in the race, a $3.50 favourite after drawing well in barrier two.
Shanwah is an $8 chance and will jump from gate four.
