Precisely how many runners Ciaron Maher has in this Saturday’s $200,000 H D F McNeil Stakes remains to be seen, but one colt who is a certain starter is Seraphox.
The son of Harry Angel will launch a campaign that is being geared around the $3 million Group 1 Caulfield Guineas in the 1200-metre Group 3 at Caulfield.
Stablemate Unit Five, who was scratched from Sandown last Saturday, is a likely rival, while Maher also has Tornado Valley and Milsons Point, who ran over 1400m at Sandown last Saturday, also entered but not committed.
Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turbull said Seraphox will be there, though, with the McNeil Stakes the perfect launching pad for an assault on the 1600m Caulfield Guineas on October 10.
“We see him as a 1400-metre horse, miler and he’s on a Guineas path,” Turnbull said.
“He’s forward and ready to run a bit of a race, but I’d say he’ll be midfield and running on.
“He’ll be competitive but he’s probably not going to be as sharp as some of the others in that race.”
Along with his Maher stablemates, Seraphox’s potential rivals include Kiwi Group 1 winner Seize The Day, untapped colt American Eagle, Todman Stakes placegetter Wolf Gap, Sydney colt Confederation and Anzac Day Stakes winner Blind Raise.
Seraphox was third in the Listed Anzac Day Stakes, his first start in Victoria after a Warwick Farm maiden win, which followed a debut seventh placing in the Group 2 Todman Stakes, a measure of the opinion Maher’s stable has always had of Seraphox.
Turnbull nominated Seraphox and Tornado Valley as the stable’s two top seeds for the Guineas heading into spring, with Magic Millions winner Unit Five bound for the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) on Derby Day.
The son of Supido will meet a stronger field at Caulfield than he would have been up against under 59.5kg on Saturday’s Heavy track over 1000m, but Turnbull said a number of factors added up to making it a more appealing option.
“How the track was, the way it’s been playing, the weight and having the option of the McNeil,” Turnbull said of the reason for holding him back.
“He had a fair while off after that Magics prep and he’s come back really well, so we’re looking forward to getting back to the races.”
