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The all-in quote on Ciaron Maher‘s progressive colt West Of Swindon to win the 2025 Caulfield Guineas have been slashed following his win in Friday night’s Group 2 $300,000 Stutt Stakes (1600m) at The Valley on Manikato Stakes night.
In a well-earned triumph, the son of the latest sire Wootton Bassett was ridden confidently by jockey Ben Melham who rated the up-and-comer to perfection getting to the lead early and dominating the race.
West Of Swindon went into the 2025 Stutt Stakes winless in his opening five career starts but broke his maiden status in terrific fashion ahead of a potential run in the Group 1 $3 million Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 11.
“I was very confident,” Maher told Racing.com.
“He’s a high-quality colt.
“He’s beautifully bred, he was a maiden going into tonight.
“I can’t think of a better way to break his maiden.
“Onwards to the Guineas now.
“Ben Melham, beautiful ride, took the race by the horns, made every post a winner and backed the horse so fair play to him.”
West Of Swinden, a $350,000 Magic Millions purchase for Qatar Bloodstock, led all-the-way and had enough in the tank late to hold off a strong challenge from Romantic Encounter to win by half a length with Hillier a huge improver in third.
It was West Of Swindon’s first run at Moonee Valley, and he had the fitness edge racing third-up.
In his lead-up at Flemington he ran second to Group 1 winner Vinrock in the Listed Exford Plate (1400m) but was able to turn the tables in the Group 2 relishing the tight turns at Moonee Valley and the step up to a mile.
Maher was also quick to credit his runner’s favourable barrier one draw.
“Barriers can be a big advantage here around the Valley, and when Vinrock was drawn out there (barrier 8), I thought, if we go forward and control the race, it’ll be massive,” he said.
“But he had to do it from barrier to post, so he’s a good colt, and I think he’ll come on again from that.”
Melham also admitted the barrier played a big part in the win, while also suggesting West Of Swindon looks well-suited to the Caulfield Guineas.
“It’s a big advantage around here, and he’s got a race that you need the motor to go with it,” he said.
“But on this occasion, we had that, and you’d have to think he’d be a live hope in the Guineas.
“He’s a pretty well-credentialed horse.
“He’s been running in some better races in Sydney, around the best three-year-olds in Australia.
“So, he’s strong at the mile, he’s got a great attitude, he’s got a good will to win for a colt, and he’s got a good action, so that’ll hold him in good stead.”
Vinrock meanwhile ran fifth over three lengths beaten as the odds-on favourite.
Griff (2023) – who was prepared by Maher in partnership with David Eustace – was the last horse to complete the Stutt Stakes – Caulfield Guineas double.
The price on West Of Swindon to be the next in futures Caulfield Guineas betting at Ladbrokes has firmed in from $51 to $11 following the Stutt Stakes results.
“Let’s hope so,” Maher said when asked whether West Of Swindon could win the Group 1.
“He’s certainly on the right path, first crack at a mile, and he’s still improving.”
Stutt Stakes 2025 Results
| 2. West Of Swindon (1) J: Ben Melham 57kg 20x42 T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 9. Romantic Encounter (4) J: Daniel Stackhouse 57kg 1 T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | ||
| 5. Hillier (5) J: Michael Dee 57kg 9x124 T: Annabel & Rob Archibald | ||
| 3. Highvol (7) J: Declan Bates 57kg 11x76 T: Nick Ryan | ||
| 1. Vinrock (8) J: Mark Zahra 57kg 11x41 T: Matt Laurie | ||
| 7. Ornos (9) J: Craig Williams 57kg x6432 T: Danny O'Brien | ||
| 6. Bingi (6) J: Luke Nolen 57kg 1317 T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | ||
| 8. Decanted (2) J: John Allen 57kg 221 T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | ||
| 4. Prestige Ole (3) J: Jamie Mott 57kg 112x5 T: Matt Laurie |
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