Ciaron Maher found himself back in the winners’ circle at Doomben on Saturday, this time with Kenedna, who won the 2019 Doomben Cup (2000m) in thrilling fashion.

The now multiple Group 1 winning mare enjoyed the run of the race from barrier nine soaring home to win by three-quarters of a length. Entering the race at $10.00 odds with Ladbrokes, April’s Group 1 Queen of the Turf (1600m) winner moved back inside to the rail over the final furlong to blow past second place-getter Life Less Ordinary.

With jockey John Allen on board, Kenedna’s blistering turn of foot came as no surprise. While punters flocked towards the heavily backed Gem Song and Youngstar, Kenedna made up for a disappointing last start ninth in the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast a fortnight ago.

Kenedna, above, is now a two-time Group 1 winner after claiming the 2019 Doomben Cup on Saturday. Photo Credit: Ultimate Racing Photos.

“Super, she always been a high-quality mare and I think she’s just furnished,” Maher said following the win.

“There was a plan set out for her and we’ve just followed the plan, she’s been very good.”

The five-year-old by Not A Single Doubt once belonged to suspended trainer Darren Weir and has since enjoyed plenty of success after transitioning to Maher’s stables late last year.

The champion trainer paid full credit to Weir’s team but didn’t elaborate on the plan ahead.

“A lot of credit to their team, a lot of their team is now a part of our team. He had the foresight and the vision to place the horse and keep her in training, and now she’s a multiple Group 1 winner” Maher went on to say.

There was no such luck for Gem Song on Saturday. The Kris Lees-trained three-year-old failed to figure in the placings as Irish import Sixties Groove stormed home late to run third.

Fellow Irish raider Life Less Ordinary fell just short of earning Chris Waller his second straight Doomben Cup win, while fellow stablemate Shillelagh went backwards down the straight to run sixth.