The trials throughout the week have screamed Group 1 class, and the sense of anticipation around the return of racing’s biggest stars continues. This week the focus was on NZ and the Karaka Sale where our partners were busy once again. Next week the attention is in Sydney and what a week it will be, with the Inglis Classic Sale, as well as the first Group 1 of 2024. With key racing and sales just around the corner make sure to stay up to date with everything through BTX.

Giveaway Reminder: If you become an owner with Ciaron Maher Racing through BTX by Wednesday, February 7th, you’ll have the chance to be one of 20 lucky guests to get a ticket to visit this stunning property below!

Shares in Reasonable and the Stayers Pack are still available for a chance to enter! 

Prizemoney Update: Please keep reading till the end for an update on Prizemoney.

Reasonable Returning To Warwick Farm With Comeback Race Imminent

Justify filly Reasonable will return to Warwick Farm this week after a solid stint at Bob’s Farm in Newcastle for the final preparations of her 2024 Autumn pre-season. Only a couple of weeks away from a return, Reasonable has returned bigger and stronger this preparation with the Ciaron Maher Team allowing for physical and mental maturity during her extended break.

The progeny of Justify have had great variety since hitting the track in 2021, with a number of his progeny developing into early two-year-olds, whilst a large number are later developing 3YOs like he was. Justify never ran as a 2-year-old, securing 6 wins from February to June of his 3-year-old year. With his final 3 wins securing the American Triple Crown. Culminating in wins of distances from 1400m-2400m.

The Ciaron Maher Team are still learning about the progeny of Justify and is confident that like her famous father, patience, mixed with the ability to stretch her in distance will benefit her greatly.

The BTX Team are excited to see her hit the track in the coming weeks.

Ahab Set To Be The First Stayers Pack Member To Race

Following a third jumpout this week at Geelong, stayers pack leader Ahab is ready to race. With the Ciaron Maher team happy with the continual progress, willing to send him potentially to a 1400m or 1600m first-up assignment before extending him in distance. Jumpout jockey Declan stated “The 1400m will be a good starting point for him, at 1600m you’ll see the best of him.”

Meanwhile, Joffrey had his trial at the same time, with jockey Harry Coffey stating “he relaxed well with a bit of cover, and he travelled really nicely…he was the last to pull up, he’ll obviously need a bit of ground.”

The Stayers Pack is one of the more exciting opportunities for racing owners in 2024 with the variety of the pack ensuring racing enthusiasts get as many chances as possible to experience their horses on track.

Photo credit Ashlea Brennan. Follow her on socials: @ashleabrenan

Jon Bon Back To The Races and Ready To Repeat History

Suave gelding Jon Bon will look to replicate the heroics of 2023 Australian Derby triumphant Majorbeel when he returns at Newcastle this Saturday. The son of So You Think is set to return in the Container Traders Class 1 Handicap over 1300m at Newcastle where he will jump from barrier 1 with the number 1 saddle on his back. Jon Bon’s allotment as the top weight means Amy McLucas will retain the ride on the half-brother to Economics. The booking of the highly talented apprentice would mean Jon Bon would receive a 2kg relief for his first-up assignment.

Majorbeel secured victory in the race last year defeating highly talented colt Hawaii Five Oh in the process before going on to win a benchmark 78 at Warwick Farm on his way to the Derby at his 5th start where he brought up his 3rd win for the preparation securing the $2M feature.

Jon Bon also holds a nomination for Warwick Farm’s Benchmark 72 1400m contest on Wednesday. The team are going to monitor the progress of Jon Bon today before deciding where he is best placed for his first up assignment.

Whilst both Saturday’s and Wednesday’s assignments will be run over unsuitably short distances, the team are confident the progression and natural ability of Jon Bon will put him in good stead to perform well first up.

Photo credit Ashlea Brennan. Follow her on socials: @ashleabrenan

Kettle Hill To Take On Rosehill

Kettle Hill will tackle the benchmark 78 grade after foregoing a tougher challenge last weekend at Randwick. The team at Warwick Farm are confident this is the right option for the son of Gleneagles who this preparation did bring up his maiden Australian victory.

Dylan Gibbons rode the horse last start and was onboard at trackwork on Tuesday stating “he’s just a big ball of muscle, I loved the way he cruised around and he’s a keen sort of horse so he’s always going to work well, he was sensible and controlled”. Kettle Hill will look to go better than a trailed-off midfield finish last start when he wasn’t given any room to extend with Head Sydney Trainer Aussie Joh acknowledging that his fitness could not be any better for Saturday’s assignment.

Kettle Hill be the top weight for the contest as the highest rated horse in the race where he partners with Gibbons once again, taking on last start winner Age Of Sail as well as in form campaigners Jack Duggan, Morning Sun, and stablemate Sky Out.

Yes Lulu A 2YO On The Up

Cult hero and highly successful jockey Ben ‘the notorious young calf’ Allen had plenty of praise for Yes Yes Yes filly Yes Lulu after her first jumpout at Cranbourne earlier in the week. The youngest member of the fillies pack put her talent on show for all to see with Allen commenting “she had a great attitude, very push-button quickened up into the bit and will take good improvement from there”.

The team confirmed Yes Lulu will have another jumpout and as long as she pulls through that well she will head to the races to debut.

Whilst time is running out for the juvenile sprinters to qualify for the lucrative autumn carnival contests, there a number of high class fillies and mares black type races that the team can target if Yes Lulu continues on her upward progression. Another great sign for Fillies Pack owners.

Prizemoney Announcement:

Prizemoney for our horses that ran in January (Kettle Hill and La Magia) is available for owners to view in their Wallet from the BTX App.
Owners can select their preference for their pending prizemoney and payout proceeds from within the BTX App.  If you would like your prizemoney to be transferred to your nominated bank account in the next pay run, please choose the “Withdraw” option by 5:00pm Monday 5th of February.