A smart son of Cape-based stallion Canford Cliffs looks a major contender for the first Gr1 event of the Melbourne Season at Caulfield on Saturday.
Won last year by Humidor, the A$1 million Memsie Stakes is run at weight-for-age over 1400m, and Cliffs Edge looks ready to go very close.
Canford Cliffs in action
His aspirations were fuelled by the news that Mystic Journey is to bypass the feature – music to the ears of trainer Ciaron Maher.
Maher, who trains in partnership with David Eustace, will have two runners
The Australian website www.punters.com.au reports that Cliff’s Edge and Humidor will represent the stable and Maher could not have been more succinct when he learned Mystic Journey was being reserved for the Gr1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington on September 14.
“Good,” he said.
Cliff’s Edge was beaten three-quarters of a length into second place by Mystic Journey in the P B Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield on 17 August.
Maher said that performance had brought on Cliff’s Edge who will be racing third-up in Saturday’s 1400m contest.
“He’s flying. That was a huge run the other day,” Maher said.
Maher is looking forward to Humidor making his debut for the stable.Previously trained by Darren Weir, Humidor won the Memsie Stakes second-up last year and will be entering Saturday’s race first-up this time around.
Maher said after two official trials and a jump-out, Humidor was ready to make his racetrack return after missing the autumn with a leg Injury.
Humidor will be ridden by Damian Lane who was aboard the gelding when he ran third to Winx in last year’s Cox Plate.
“He’s had three trials now and he’s ready to go, but will be improved by the run,” Maher said.
“He’s a quirky bugger but he seems free and happy and Damian Lane knows him very well and he’s happy with him.”
