While he admits the wide draw isn’t ideal, trainer Declan Maher believes Tajawal is ideally placed to give the stable a crucial winner at Ipswich on Wednesday.
Brother to Ciaron Maher, Declan formerly oversaw his brother’s Ballarat stable while also training a handful of horses under his own name but made the decision to uproot to Queensland earlier this year.
Since the move in June, Maher has been slowly building his business, and while wins have been hard to come by with two victories from just 30 runners, he believes Tajawal can add to that tally in a Class 2 on Wednesday.
“He ran really well first up, and the second up he probably had a bit of second up syndrome, maybe came back to the races a week too soon,” Maher said.
“He’s bounced through that run well and the step up in trip seems right up his alley.”
Formerly with Annabel & Rob Archibald, Tajawal is owned by Bennett Racing, having won once in Australia and once with the Simon & Ed Crisford yard in England before being brought here.
Having placed in the Orange Gold Cup (2100m) behind subsequent Group 2 Brisbane Cup (3200m) winner Campaldino, Maher is confident Tajawal is ready to win having opened a $2.50 favourite with Ryan Maloney booked on Wednesday.
“It’s just that he’s drawn twelve of twelve tomorrow, that’s the only sticky thing, Maher noted.
“It’s going to be hard to scratch him.”
Having formerly focused on training jumpers with the limited horses in his own stables, including preparing Nelson to win a Great Western Steeplechase at Coleraine in 2023, Maher is adjusting to his Gold Coast base, noting the support of some key owners and breeders.
“I’ve got 14 in the barn now. It’s slow steps, but we’re starting to get a handle on things and it’s progressing nicely,” Maher said.
“Nathan Bennett and Phil Wells from Bennett Racing have been good supporters of me, Cam Bennett from Flying Start (Syndications), I’ve got a couple with him as well.
“If you can get support from guys like those with big numbers of horses it’s always good.”
