Under-rated mare Semana wasn’t far off Zougotcha in a brace of autumn features, and trainer Ciaron Maher is banking on her residual fitness to help bridge that gap as she seeks to claim an elusive Group One.
Semana and stablemate Detonator Jack will fly the flag for the Maher stable in the first major of the Sydney season when they take on the likes of Zougotcha, Fangirl and Tropical Squall in the Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Five-year-old Semana is coming off a two-start winter campaign in Queensland, highlighted by her Tattersall’s Tiara second behind star stablemate Bella Nipotina, an effort that put Saturday’s feature on her radar.
“We’ve done it before coming through the winter, holding that fitness level and going in fresh and ready to go,” Maher said.
“The 1400 is her pet distance and she has trialled up really sharp.”
After winning the Triscay Stakes (1200m) first-up heading into the autumn, Semana finished less than a half-length from Zougotcha under handicap conditions in the Coolmore Classic (1500m) and just over a length in her wake in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at weight-for-age.
Maher figures that augurs well for the mare again coping with weight-for-age conditions in the Winx where she has drawn barrier five.
“I don’t think the result changed much behind Zougotcha, whether they ran in a handicap or at weight-for-age in the autumn, she still ran second or third, and she is really well,” he said.
“I’m very happy with her.”
Maher is equally thrilled by the manner in which Detonator Jack has returned to work.
The gelding is also coming off a Brisbane winter carnival trip where he was far from disgraced in finishing midfield behind Bois D’Argent in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m).
He has a solid first-up record and Maher won’t be surprised to see him run a cheeky race.
“I thought he trialled up really sharp,” Maher said.
“I think he has just come up well. He is heading towards the Big Dance.”
The leading yard will also have Southport Tycoon in the Show County Quality (1200m) and talented filly Erno’s Cube in the Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m).
Maher said Southport Tycoon was likely to follow a Golden Eagle path and reported the Australian Guineas winner had “really furnished”.
“He is forward enough to run well,” Maher added.
Erno’s Cube has also been progressing nicely towards her first-up goal after doing a grand job at two, finishing fourth in the Magic Millions Classic and then freshening to win the Reisling Stakes during the Sydney autumn in between placings in the Silver Slipper and Percy Sykes Stakes.
