Maher stablemates conflict in McKenzie Stakes

A marketing campaign for Sergeant Main with a view to gaining a begin within the Caulfield Guineas will likely be kick-started at Moonee Valley.

The previous New Zealand three-year-old may have his first begin for the Ciaron Maher secure within the Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m) on Saturday.

Sergeant Main was bought by a big possession group, headed by Ozzie Kheir, and can make his Australian debut for the possession group on Saturday.

The gelding, a son of Proisir, had three begins in New Zealand, successful a two-year-old race in March earlier than working fifth within the Group 1 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Trentham in April.

Sergeant Main made his strategy to Australia with a view to competing within the Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm in June, however after a trial at Randwick in Could was despatched for a break.

Maher stated relying on how Sergeant Main performs on Saturday, he may doubtlessly go to the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) on September 21 after which onto the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 12.

“Ozzie bought him, and we had been going to take a look on the J J Atkins, however he’d had sufficient,” Maher stated.

“That breed, even to win as a two-year-old is a giant factor, so we gave him a break, however he trialled up properly at Cranbourne the opposite day.

“He might be a Guineas horse. He’ll run on this, in all probability run within the Prelude after which we’ll see whether or not he deserves a run within the Guineas.”

Sergeant Main will likely be joined in Saturday’s race by Excessive Diamond, a final begin winner of a maiden over 1112m at Geelong.

Maher stated, like Sergeant Main, Excessive Diamond might also be on a Guineas path.

The colt is a son of Excessive Selection and Maher stated it could be testing the waters to see if he may stretch out to the 1600m of the Guineas.

“He gained impressively at Geelong,” Maher stated.

“He’s an Excessive Selection, however he’s a giant scopey horse, so it wouldn’t shock you if he stretched out, however he’s bred to be sharper.”

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