It’s the start of Blue Diamond Stakes week but it was difficult for Ciaron Maher not to be also thinking of Golden Slippers following another impressive trial win in Sydney from Loving Gaby’s little sister Greece.
Wearing Coolmore’s navy blue colours, the I Am Invincible filly won her first trial on February 10 at Rosehill by just over one and a half lengths and on Monday, she doubled that margin to win by more than three lengths in a slick time over the 1030-metre course for star jockey James McDonald.
“She’s going the right way,” Maher said after the trial. “I haven’t spoken to James yet but to the eye, it looked impressive.”
Being impressive in a trial is one thing but connections are fully aware that time is running out for the filly to get to the races and earn a Slipper spot.
“She holds a (Slipper) nom but she has to do a lot of things right before she gets to the Slipper,” Maher said.
“She has to win a race first so on Saturday week, if she gets a run in the Reisling, that’s where she will kick-off all going well but there a lot of water to go under the bridge.”
Maher went to $1.2 million to secure the filly at the sales as she of a similar type to the breathtaking dual group 1 winner Loving Gaby.
“She’s strong like her and has a similar body shape,” he said. “She’s of a similar cut and hopefully as good.”
Greece was into $26 to win the Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on March 19 with Sportsbet after Monday’s trial.
“She had a gallop on Saturday and she worked well,” Maher said of Coolangatta.
“She’s a nice horse, who has done nothing wrong so time will tell.”
Maher and Eustace chase their first Blue Diamond Stakes win this Saturday with Counttheadlights and Hafey.
Click here to watch Greece’s trial replay.
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