Leading Australian trainer Ciaron Maher is gearing up to make a significant impact in New Zealand's summer carnival, with several horses nominated for key races including the TAB Telegraph, Harcourts Thorndon Mile, and NZCIS Wellington Cup in January.
Maher, who has never saddled a runner at Trentham before, had his only New Zealand runner, Holyzman, in the 2024 Aotearoa Classic at Ellerslie. This summer, he has entered four runners in the TAB Telegraph, including Group 1 performers I Am Unstoppable and Tiz Invincible. In the Harcourts Thorndon Mile, Maher has seven entries, featuring European Group 1 performer Light Infantry Man and Listed winner Nugget. For the NZCIS Wellington Cup, he has six runners, including Group 1 winner Smokin Romans and Melbourne Cup runner Interpretation.
Maher's entries are part of a strong contingent of 22 Australian-trained runners among the nominations for the three Trentham features.
Defending champions, 2024 Telegraph winner Mercurial and Thorndon Mile winner Puntura, have also nominated to defend their titles.
The TAB Telegraph has attracted a number of notable three-year-olds, including Group 1 2000 Guineas winner Savaglee and Manawatu Sires Produce winner Move To Strike.
Additionally, Group 1 Arrowfield Stud Stakes winner One Bold Cat and Livamol Classic winner Snazzytavi are among the five Group 1 winners nominated for the Harcourts Thorndon Mile.
RACE General Manager of Racing Brad Taylor expressed his satisfaction with the nominations for this year’s races.
“With the stake increases this year, it is promising to see the quality of the nominations which includes entires from three of Australia’s leading stables in Ciaron Maher, Anthony & Sam Freedman and the Hayes brothers,” Taylor said.
“It’s exciting to see a number of the country’s best three-year-olds nominated to take on the older horses in the Telegraph. We have previously seen top three-year-olds win the race, with horses like King’s Chapel, Vinaka and O’Reilly all winning the Telegraph.
“RACE looks forward to welcoming international visitors and their connections as well as our local participants to Trentham in January for what will be an exceptional NZCIS Wellington Cup Carnival.”