Trainer Ciaron Maher has confirmed talented stayer Mr O’Ceirin will contest this weekend’s Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m) on the Sunshine Coast after the six-year-old completed another strong piece of work at Doomben on Tuesday morning.
Mr O'Ceirin will contest the 2014 Caloundra Cup this weekend. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia
While yet to break through for a race win over five competitive starts this time in, Mr O’Ceirin has secured several positive results since arriving in Brisbane and has largely raced well on surfaces that could be deemed un-ideal to his running style.
Having sent the Postponed gelding north to seek rain affected tracks, Maher said that while disappointed with the lack of rain in Queensland so-far, he is optimistic of success in this weekend’s $175,000 race.
“I think they are having El Nino up there, aren’t they?” Maher told TVN in jest.
“That’s why we went him up there – to get some wet tracks, but he’s not going to get one again this week.
“Mind you, he’s been racing really well on dry tracks and he’ll run on Saturday in the Caloundra Cup.
“He worked very well at Doomben this morning. His regular rider said he felt terrific.”
Claiming an impressive total of 10 race wins and a further six minor places from 33 competitive starts so far, Mr O’Ceirin was disappointing when eleventh in the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) first-up this year, but stormed back into contention for some of Brisbane’s premier races when finishing second to champion mare Streama in the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) on May 3rd.
Unlucky to be blocked for a run and seventh in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) on May 17th, the gelding out of Cadell ran a strong second to Moriarty in the Group 2 Eagle Farm Cup (2200m) just two weeks later before finishing fifth in the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2400m) last time out.
A final field and barrier draw for the 2014 Caloundra Cup is due to be released on Wednesday morning.
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