Happy Oaks hunter Ciaron Maher aims for number three

Ben Dorries - Thursday September 21

Ciaron Maher knows how to train a VRC Oaks winner and reckons Aloisia has the galloping action and the determination to become his third winner of the 2500m Group I race.

Former Kiwi filly Aloisia will give trainer Ciaron Maher a gilt-edged chance to claim his third VRC Oaks Photo: Darryl Sherer

Maher has won the Oaks with Set Square (2014) and Jameka (2015) and has $13 second favourite Aloisia for the November feature.

Aloisia will resume in Saturday's Aquis Farm Supports Pinchapoo Plate (1400m) in the first plank of a four-start spring campaign which will include the Thousand Guineas and culminate in the VRC Oaks.

It will be the first time Aloisia has been seen on race day since she ran a cracking second behind Capital Gain in the Group I JJ Atkins (1600m) during the Queensland winter carnival.

It was a big run considering she found herself three back along the fence and tightened for room, struggling to get clear running at the top of the straight.

Before that the former Kiwi had her first Australian start for Maher when she won at Flemington over 1400m in May.

The OTI filly looks as if she will only get better as the distances get longer and Maher is convinced she will be a strong Oaks contender.

"Jameka was big and strong, almost like a colt, whereas Set Square was like a whirlwind who came on the scene very quickly and did great things," Maher said.

"Aloisia is different again, I would call her a very determined filly.

"I think that determination and will to win will take her a long way.

"The other top attribute she has is that, like Jameka and Set Square, she has a really great action."

Aloisia is a $5 chance with Sportsfest and Ladbrokes when she resumes on Saturday and some punters might be looking elsewhere, thinking perhaps she wants more ground and has bigger fish to fry this spring.

But Maher says she will be in the race up to her eyeballs.

"She comes to hand pretty quickly and while she will take improvement out of this run, she has real quality about her and is drawn to get a nice run in a pocket just behind them," Maher said.

"She wintered really well in Queensland and has trialled up nicely for this.

"I wouldn't be at all surprised if she won."

WATCH Aloisia run second in the Group I JJ Atkins
Advertisment
More Reading...
Savabeel Colt Brilliant in G2 Levin Classic
Class three-year-old Savaglee stepped out for the first time since his devastating victory in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) in November and absolutely destroyed a small but handy field in Saturday’s Gr.2 Top Kat Roofing Levin Classic (1400m) at Trentham.
G3 Winner on Comeback Trail
Talented Kiwi-bred galloper Grand Impact was back in the winner’s circle after an all-the-way victory in the Domeland Benchmark 100 Handicap (1350m) at the Wyong standalone meeting on Saturday.
Spritely Sweynesse 7YO Wins Kuma Gold Nuggets
Promising apprentice Donovan Cooper made good use of his 2kg claim as he guided the Christchurch-trained Treybon to a clear cut victory in Saturday’s Vernon & Vazey 0800 Truck Parts Kumara Gold Nuggets (1810m).
Time For War's Straight Loving It'sourtime Bags Standish
Seven year-old Time For War gelding It'sourtime bagged his fourth stakes victory in Saturday’s Group III Standish Handicap (1200m), continuing his love affair with the Flemington straight course.
Derby Dreaming for So You Think 3YO
A $220,000 Magic Millions purchase from Mill Park by Busuttin Racing/Andrew Campbell, So You Think three year-old Thedoctoroflove has been handled quietly to date, but the gloves are set to come off in 2025 with Derby dreaming on the horizon.
Sires With Winners - Friday January 10
Here is the full list of 50 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Black Type Next - Zousain Filly La Roux Goes Two for Two
Astute trainer Phillip Stokes has a smart juvenile in the stable in fleet footed Zousain filly La Roux, who won easily on debut at Morphettville on Boxing Day and backed it up with another easy victory as a short priced favourite at Murray Bridge on Saturday.
Invader's Amosu WIns MM The Debut for Liam Birchley
Connections of Amosu turned a $60,000 investment into a $305,000 payday less than 12 months later when the pint-sized filly scored a last-stride win in the Magic Millions The Debut Plate (1000m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Saturday January 11
Here is the full list of 83 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
35th G1 Winner for Savabeel - Provence wins Thorndon Mile
A coming-of-age performance by Provence in the Gr.1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m) capped a feature treble at Trentham on Saturday for leading jockey Sam Spratt.