Trainer Grahame Begg is relying on the same formula that landed Maharba a straight track victory at Flemington during Melbourne Cup.
That success came in the Group 3 Rising Fast Stakes (1200m), but on Saturday Maharba is chasing one of Australia’s big sprint handicaps, the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap over the same trip.
Begg went into the Rising Fast Stakes second-up with Maharba, just as he is doing with the gelding in Saturday’s contest.
Maharba ran second in the Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield before winning at Flemington while this time around Maharba finished fourth in the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes (1100m) also at Caulfield.
Begg was not concerned by Maharba’s performance first-up in a slowly run race but liked the gelding’s performance in a 1000m trial at Cranbourne on February 24, beating home Another Wil.
“He had a nice trial a couple of Mondays ago and he’s prepped up nicely for the race,” Begg said.
“First-up, it was a slowly run race, so just put a line through that. It was a sit and sprint.
“I’ve followed the same formula that saw him win on Derby Day. One run, a month between runs with a jump-out in between.
“It seems to work with him.”
Maharba has drawn barrier one on Saturday, which is not always ideal in large fields down the Flemington straight.
But Maharba had barrier two when successful during Melbourne Cup week and has a further placing from an inside draw at the track back in May.
More concerning for Begg is the 56.5kg Maharba must carry on Saturday.
“It’s not always ideal inside draws, but he did win from an inside draw when he won on Derby Day,” Begg said.
“Horses have been able to come up underneath them and win, so it will all depend on the day.
“He’s got a good straight record, a couple of Stakes wins, but this is tougher, and he’s weighted right up to his best with the way the handicaps are.
“They’re all pretty close together with the exception of the three-year-olds that get a good concession.”
