Ciaron Maher targets Easter Cup after Australian Cup success

Ciaron Maher, fresh from his Australian Cup victory, will aim for another 2000-metre feature this weekend at Caulfield.

Maher, who won the Australian Cup with Light Infantry Man, will have multiple runners in the Group 3 Easter Cup.

Future History and Night Endeavour are confirmed starters, while Normandy Bridge and Port Philip are also nominated for the $200,000 race.

Maher’s assistant trainer, Jack Turnbull, explained that Future History’s original plan was to run in the Australian Cup, but after a seventh-place finish in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes and a fifth in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes, the decision was made to aim for the Easter Cup instead.

“Initially, the Australian Cup was his plan, but we thought last start he really didn’t do enough to warrant going there,” Turnbull said.

Imported gelding Night Endeavour, who hasn’t raced since February 1, showed promise in a recent jumpout, finishing second at Cranbourne on March 17.

“He’s had a nice little jumpout and a couple of gallops, so he’ll head to the Easter Cup,” Turnbull added.

Maher’s team is among 25 Easter Cup nominations, with three-year-old filly Cilacap also entered.

The Easter Cup is one of two $200,000 Group 3 features on the Caulfield card, alongside the 1400m Victoria Handicap, where Caulfield Guineas winner Golden Mile will line up, along with Chorlton Lane, Jennilala, Miss Aria, Regal Zeus, Roll On High, and Superazi.

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