It’s a one race trip, but Cranbourne trainer Grahame Begg is prepared to roll the dice and anticipates last-start Melbourne winner, Maharba to turn in a peak performance in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot.
A trip west across the Nullarbor to contest Perth’s premier sprint on November 30 was all but confirmed for the consistent four-year-old after he displayed tenacious fighting qualities down the Flemington straight two weeks back.
Unwanted by punters and defying a big betting drift, Maharba pulled out plenty in the run to the line when he fought off a strong late challenge from runner-up, Rey Magnerio to claim a career-best win in the Group 3 Rising Fast Stakes (1200m).
Begg, delighted with the victory, describes Maharba as a tough, honest horse with a great record and says he opted for the Winterbottom Stakes in preference to the inaugural running of the Meteorite, a slot race, on Cranbourne Cup Day.
Begg is on good ground with the Winterbottom Stakes being heavily influenced by eastern states gallopers in the past decade, including Overpass (2023), Paulele (2022), Hey Doc (2019), Voodoo Lad (2018), Viddora (2017), Takedown (2016) and Buffering (2015-13).
Begg said he’s taking Maharba to Perth at the right time and the $1.5 million weight-for-age feature is not an afterthought.
“You want horses on the way up heading into a carnival,” Grahame Begg said on Tabradio.
“I don’t think you want to be taking horses as afterthoughts.
“This horse has had two runs under his belt and gets a three-week buffer going from Derby Day to the Winterbottom Stakes.
“It looks a nice transition for him and obviously he gets plenty of time to settle in in his new environment.
“It sets him up nicely for the race and he has come up really well this preparation.
“He’s only entered for the one race and will then come home and get ready for some of the autumn races.”
Maharba started off his racing journey under David Payne before transferring to Begg.
Under Begg’s tutelage he’s racked up four wins and five placings from 14 starts for $640,100 in prizemoney.
Before the Rising Fast victory, he won two Listed races: the Talindert (1100m) at Flemington and the Hareeba Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
He also holds six black type placings including a third to Bellatrix Star in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m) when first-up this preparation at Caulfield.
Begg says Maharba more than holds his own in top company.
“He’s raced in the top company in either group or listed company,” Begg said.
“It’s virtually been right through his career.
“He’s certainly been more than competitive wherever he runs.
“He’s an honest horse and puts in his best every time he goes to the races.”
Maharba is currently $15 with Tabtouch for the Winterbottom Stakes.
Begg insists the lightly raced four-year-old will be at his peak for his Group 1 assault.
“We feel there is a bit of improvement to come from the horse,” Begg said.
“He hasn’t completely coated out yet, still hanging on to some residual winter coat.
“But he’s getting there and certainly has improved once again since his last run at Flemington.”