The Ciaron Maher stable is looking forward to the return clash of their highly talented three-year-old Growing Empire and the colt from NSW Switzerland.
The pair met in the spring when Switzerland won the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington, relegating Growing Empire into third place.
On Saturday, both colts are resuming, and head to the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington where Switzerland is an easing favourite while Growing Empire is a firming second elect, as they dominate the betting ahead of the Maher-trained I Am Me.
Maher’s assistant trainer at Cranbourne, Jack Turnbull, is especially keen to see the two colts in action again.
“I’m excited,” Turnbull said.
“Growing Empire meets him fresh and they’re both first-up on a level playing field as to when we met him last time, we were fifth-up, with travel.
“I believe we’ve come on and Switzerland has too.
“But it’s what you want for racing, and it’s recognised they are pretty much the stars of their generation over a sprint trip and hopefully they’re fighting it out.”
Growing Empire has raced eight times and is yet to miss a place, but one important statistic missing from his CV is a Group 1 win.
He was claimed late by stablemate Southport Tycoon in the Manikato Stakes before running third in The Everest and Coolmore Stud Stakes.
In a bid to extract that ‘one percent’, the Maher team has applied blinkers to Growing Empire’s race day gear.
“He’s got a few quirks about him. He does not need them, but he is more responsive and sharper with them on,” Turnbull said.
“He’s trialled twice without them this time around and has been fine, but ultimately, we decided to put them on.
“He’s drawn the middle of the track, upside Switzerland. He’s quick away and with the blinkers we’re making sure he runs a genuine 1000 metres.
“You put them on, and he knows the score.
“He’s a talented horse and you only have to click your fingers, and he goes from zero to 100.”
Turnbull said I Am Me should not be forgotten having won four of her six first-up runs and being placed on her two other occasions.
Like Growing Empire, a Group 1 win is missing from her CV, although she’s been placed multiple times at the highest level.
“She won two $1 million races last prep, the Concorde and The Shorts,” Turnbull said.
“She’s won a stack of races, she fires fresh, and she’s drawn the right alley.
“Hopefully they both hit the ground running. They’ve both gone well in their jump-outs, and physically we’re very happy with them.”
