Trainer Ciaron Maher is not overly concerned after Set Square draw a wide barrier in the Group 1 $3m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Trainer Ciaron Maher is confident that Set Square, above, will be able to overcome a wide barrier in the Caulfield Cup at Caulfield. Photo by Sarah Ebbett.
Set Square came up with the sixteen marble in the original draw of eighteen plus four emergencies but if all the reserves are eliminated on Saturday morning, the Reset mare will jump from gate twelve.
“I don’t think it is that big a concern the barrier,” Maher told Racing Ahead.
“It is just more about getting her into a nice relaxing rhythm and I am sure Kerrin will know what to do from there.”
“She can race anywhere really. She raced forward in the Turnbull, and she can race back.”
Kerrin McEvoy was aboard Set Square two starts back when fifth to Iggamacool in the $90,000 Spring Is The Season Handicap (1700m) at Flemington on September 12 and is back on again replacing Luke Currie who rode her into third place behind Preferment and Royal Descent in the Group 1 $500,000 Yellowglen Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 4.
Maher is pleased with the way Set Square has come though the run and said that she continues to please on the tracks.
“She has come through in great order. She galloped well yesterday at Caulfield on the course proper. She worked with Lucia Valentina and it was just nice strong work,” Maher said.
Set Square is stepping up to the 2400m for the first time since winning the Group 1 $1m Crown Oaks (2500m) at Flemington almost twelve months ago and Maher considers it be her best distance to date.
“She had only had one run at the mile and a half and that was in the Oaks so I am rapt to get out to that distance. She is also strong through the line and she has always given the feel that she is a strong stayer,” Maher said.
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Set Square has developed into a furnished four year old mare and Maher is confident that she will measure up to the 3200m of the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup to be run at Flemington on November 3.
“I would love to give her a crack at the two the miles, the Melbourne Cup. She gives me no sign at all that she wouldn’t run the two miles,” Maher said.
“So hopefully she can get a nice run in transit in the Caulfield Cup and hit the line strongly and hopefully win and go onto the Melbourne Cup.”
“They need to furnish into a mare to be able to go with the older horses as a four year old and I think she made the necessary steps.”
“She was quite light as a Spring three year old but on her last break she definitely strengthened up and has held her condition really well.”
Ladbrokes are also offering a great offer for punters having a bet early in the day on Caulfield Cup Day. If your first fixed odds win bet in races 1 – 5 wins, your will get 50% extra on your winnings on your first winner up to a maximum bet of $50.
Set Square is well in contention in the Caulfield Cup market order and shares the second line of betting at $9 with the John O’Shea trained Hauraki behind ruling $4.60 favourite Mongolian Kahn.
Caulfield Cup market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.60 Mongolian Khan, $9 Hauraki, Set Square, $11 Fame Game, Snow Sky, Rising Romance, $15 Hokko Brave, Complacent, $17 Gust Of Wind, $18 Royal Descent, $21 Magic Hurricane, $26 Volkstok’N’Barrell, Our Ivanhowe, Who Shot Thebarman, Trip To Paris, $31 Lucia Valentina, $41 Grand Marshall, $51 Protectionist, Dibayani, Magnapal, $61 Quest For More, $126 Magicool.
