MAHER HAS RECOMMENDATION "PRETTY RIGHT TO GO"

By Darren Winningham | Monday, December 2, 2024

Ciaron Maher has become a household name in Australian racing.

Consistently winning feature races across Australia. In Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, NSW and Queensland – he has proven himself, his stable and horses to be a force to be reckoned with.

Now he steps outside his comfort zone and travels to Hong Kong to contest the HK$26 million Group 1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint with Recommendation, a five-year-old gelding looking to post his first career Group 1 win.

This is Maher’s first runner in Hong Kong. With the enormous talent in his stable I am certain it will not be his last.

I am confident that he will be on the phone to his previous training partner David Eustace who has relocated to Hong Kong, looking for any tips or guidance to get this runner to his peak on race day.

Speaking to Winno on HRO Video Report, Maher confirmed he was happy with his charge.

“He has travelling over very well. He is nice and bright and I’m happy with where he is at,” said Maher.

“He likes to be fresh and well in his work and his demeanour … and he certainly seems like that.

“He’ll do another little piece on the grass during the week, but he is pretty right to go. He probably would prefer a bit of give in the ground, but he is adaptable.”

It is no easy challenge for any overseas trainer is to come to Hong Kong and take on the best runners in the local jurisdiction and the contenders from around the world.

This year the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint boasts contenders from Japan, USA, Great Britain and Australia.

You cannot just come to Hong Kong and expect to take away the amazing prize money that is on offer as winning these races on LONGINES HKIR race-day require precision in implementing a specific advanced plan and backing it up with solid tactics on race-day.

Maher has shown himself to be a marvel at executing just that so Recommendation will undoubtedly come into the race prepared to give his very best and to do Australia proud.

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