Ciaron Maher will be without two of his stable’s big guns during the autumn, but the trainer still has enough horsepower to make an impact.
Group One winners Set Square and Srikandi will be missing from autumn action but on Saturday at Caulfield exciting mare Azkadellia resumes in the Bellmaine Stakes while two-year-old Emphatically contests the Blue Diamond Prelude for fillies.
Maher’s VRC Oaks winner Jameka makes her return on Saturday week.
Azkadellia was unlucky in the Group One Myer Classic last spring when flashing home for third and Maher has Doncaster Mile hopes for the mare.
“She’s still a bit soft going into Saturday but she’s had a couple of soft trials and she’s ticking over well,” he said.
“I’m sort of hoping her class can carry her a long way.”
Emphatically turned in a determined on-speed display for second in the Blue Diamond fillies Preview and Maher said she had improved every time she had been sent to the races.
“She’s drawn well, she’ll put herself on the speed and I’d say she’ll give a good sight again,” he said.