Al Garhood To Stick Close To Home

Tuesday, 15 June 2010 07:15

Ciaron Maher is happy to play to the strengths of his star 'chaser Al Garhood by keeping the veteran on his home track at Warrnambool as much as he can.

The reprogramming of the jumps season this year has worked out in favour of the rising 11-year-old with suitable feature races staged at Warrnambool in July and August.

Maher said the Zabeel gelding would run in the $100,000 Thackeray Steeplechase (3450m) on July 11 and the $100,000 Crisp Steeplechase (4150m) on August 1.

Warrnambool was the scene of Al Garhood's greatest triumph on May 6 when he dominated the Grand Annual Steeple (5500m) from the front to win the marathon event by 20-3/4 lengths from Mali Juraj.

Maher is delighted with the way Al Garhood came through the Grand Annual, a race in which he finished 11-3/4 lengths second to Sir Pentire in 2009.

"If the Grand Annual had been run again a week later, he would have been right to run in it, that's how well he pulled up," the trainer said.

"He's had three weeks in the paddock and is back in work heading towards running (in the Thackeray) on July 11."

While Al Garhood failed to make it three straight victories in the Brierly Steeple (3450m) this year - he finished runner-up to outstanding 'chaser Some Are Bent on May 4 - Maher feels his form is a lot more consistent this season.

The horse also won the Von Doussa Steeple (3250m) at Oakbank on April 3, beating stablemate Pentacolo who is spelling.

"I think I managed him a little better this year and he was happy to relax and he got the trip in the Annual no worries," Maher said.

"He loves Warrnambool. He's suited by the tight turns and is able to skip away from the opposition."

Maher has nominated Al Garhood for Saturday's The Australian Steeple (3900m) at Sandown and the gelding is the second highest-rated horse with a handicapping rating of 140 behind dual Australian Steeple winner Mazzacano (142).

Mazzacano, won the race in 2007 and in 2009, shouldered 70kg when he beat Some Are Bent in a 3300m Sandown Steeple on April 21.

But the Robbie Laing-trained gelding was distanced when fourth to Al Garhood in the Grand Annual at his latest 'chasing start.

Picture: Colin Bull