MAHER’S POWERFUL ASSAULT ON CLARKE

CIARON Maher is an enviable position with his attack on the final Group 1 race of the Melbourne spring carnival, the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday with three strong contenders who are at the top of  TopSport market.

Maher has Jimmysstar who is $3 favourite, Another Wil is $3.50 and Southport Tycoon is $10.

At their last start Another Wil defeated Jimmysstar at Flemington to win the Damien Oliver Stakes but Maher is adamant there is nothing between them.

Maher told Racing.Com that in that event Another Wil from an inside draw had the better run and was able to hold off Jimmysstar’s late burst.

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“There’s nothing between Jimmy and Another Wil. At Flemington the other day, Another Wil was always going to get the better run. It looked as if Jimmy had the momentum and then Wil got out,” Maher said.

Maher pointed out that both horses had an affinity with Caulfield as Another Wil has had four starts there for three wins and a seventh in the Toorak Handicap while Jimmysstar is undefeated in three starts at the track.

The pair of five-year-old geldings also have similar records with Another Wil having won eight of 12 starts and Jimmysstra seven from 13 starts.

The other part of Maher’s confusion going into the race is Southport Tycoon who he said was the class act of his trio.

Three starts ago Southport Tycoon won the Group 1 Manikato Stakes at The Valley which was his last run in Melbourne.

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He then campaigned in Sydney with a third in the Group 3 Sydney Stakes at Randwick and then a ninth in the Golden Eagle at Rosehill.

“He’s a good horse. Put a line through that last run as he got too far back,” he said.