A standout performer over the 2014 autumn and winter racing carnivals, trainer Ciaron Maher is thrilled with the form of classy mare Srikandi, revealing she is on track for a racing return in the Group 3 Sportingbet Sprint Series Final (1200m) at Caulfield on October 11th.
Trainer Ciaron Maher is pleased with the form of Srikandi following a strong Cranbourne barrier trial on Monday. Photo: Daniel Costello
Yet to finish outside the places in eight competitive career starts, Srikandi has not been seen at the races since finishing a credible third in the featured Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 7th.
Underlining the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on October 24th and the Group 1 Darley Classic (1200m) at Flemington on November 8th, Maher told Racing Victoria he was pleased with a strong hit-out produced by the daughter of Dubawi at Cranbourne on Monday morning and her continually building form leading into her spring racing return.
“She jumped well, Craig (Williams) had a good hold of her and she rounded it off ok. She seems to have come on in the past couple of weeks. She is still three weeks off her first run. She is still on track,” Maher said.
“She’ll be nommed in the Manikato and the big race down the straight and we’ll just see. She’s a quality mare.”
Securing a comfortable one length victory in the Slickpix Plate Maiden (1000m) in what was her racing debut in September last year, Srikandi returned to the track in exceptional condition this year; running a close second in a minor over 1000m first-up before claiming back-to-back victories over 1200m at Mornington and Sandown respectively.
Undoubtedly reaching peak condition upon arriving in Queensland for the Winter Racing Carnival, the mare out of Raining won each of the Listed Silk Stocking (1200m), Listed Juanmo Stakes (1200m) and Group 3 Glenlogan Park Stakes (1350m) prior to her performance for third in the Stradbroke Handicap.
