Punters will be hoping their fingers will not again be burned when Ciaron Maher and David Eustace saddle up another short-priced favourite at The Valley.
Enthaar and Lighthouse were sent out odds-on favourites at Caulfield and were beaten while brave punters launched into the Maher and Eustace-trained Yonce, backing her from $1.90 into $1.55, to get them out of trouble in the final race on Wednesday.
Maher and Eustace have the unbeaten Marabi contesting her toughest test to date in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) on Saturday and the mare is currently the $1.80 top elect with TAB.
Marabi, a five-year-old daughter of I Am Invincible, has been a late bloomer having only start her career in February last year due to a hip injury.
While her last win in the Listed Christmas Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Boxing Day was her first win in open company, importantly Marabi has two wins over The Valley’s 1200m course.
Maher expects Marabi to be able to handle the rise in grade and the step back up in trip against better company on Saturday following her explosive win on Boxing Day.
The trainer said Marabi warrants the chance of tackling the Group 2 race and that the mare was in excellent order for Saturday’s contest.
“Her confidence is up and it’s a nice step for her,” Maher said.
“She’s been to the 1200 metres a number of times and has handled it well and she looks like she’s in the right class.
“She’s a progressive horse, in really good order and we can’t fault her.”
Maher admitted he had been taken a little by surprised with Marabi’s unbeaten record from five starts, especially after her hip injury as a younger horse and from what she shows on the track.
“She’s not the greatest trackworker,” Maher said.
“But her last win, given how much speed they absorbed up front, to be able to kick on, and kick on well, I thought was pretty impressive.”
