Maher looks to fill the gap at Coolmore

Ciaron Maher has engraved his name on the honors board of almost every famous Australian race, but there are still a few that have eluded him, including the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes.

Maher would already have a win to his name in the Flemington film, but in 2017 he was suspended, with Aaron Purcell taking over training duties as Merchant Navy won.

The Maher who came closest to victory was Bruckner, who finished second to Home Affairs in 2021.

But the leading trainer is ready to plug the gap in his training CV with Growing Empire, who will represent him on Saturday after training well since this third-place finish at The Everest.

“He came through Everest in a great way. He traveled back. Mark (Zahra) rode him the other day and was very happy with him,” Maher said.

Zahra, who was successful at Merchant Navy, has ridden Growing Empire three times for three wins.

Growing Empire is owned by Yulong Investments, who will also be represented by First Settler in their quest to win the stallion event.

In his only appearance at Flemington, Growing defeated Empire First Settler in the Poseidon Stakes.

Growing Empire has since taken on the older horses with two exemplary runs, a second place in the G1 Manikato Stakes ahead of his stablemate Southport Tycoon and then a third place in the Everest behind Bella Nipotina.

First Settler won the Danehill Stakes on his only run since.

Growing Empire is a $3.30 favorite at Sportsbet.