Transferred to Grahame Begg after his only previous start when fourth in the $1million ATC Golden Gift, promising Pride of Dubai gelding Maharba lived up to that form when taking out the Listed VRC Talindert Stakes (1100m) at Flemington.
Backed into favouritism, Maharba was very strong to the line when cruising clear of Hell Queen to win by a length and while he’s not entered for the Golden Slipper, the Group I ATC Sires Produce Stakes is on the radar.
“I liked very much that he dug in deep at the finish. I thought at the 200 metre me he (Lane) hadn't gone for him.He had to help him go through his gears. I think the horse is pretty untapped, to be truthful,” said Grahame Begg.
“Now he's had the run up the straight, there was a plan to come here and get that experience because you never know later in the year, who knows, you never know he might be in the Coolmore.
"At least he's got that experience and he's ticked that box.
"Very nice horse and I think there's a lot of upside."
Begg is already thinking beyond today with the autumn carnival in Sydney on the horizon.
"I think he might have just booked his place to Sydney. We've got two options. We either go to the Todman Slipper or wait and go to the Pago Pago and make him more of a Sires' Produce Stakes type of horse and be a fresh horse on the scene,” Begg said.
"We'll work it out and discuss it with the owners. We'll have to discuss it if they want to pay the late entry fee for the Golden Slipper and that is a lot of money.”
A half-brother to Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Unencumbered Maharba was bred by Newhaven Park and runs for Garry and Marianne Towzell.
He is the seventh winner from eight foals to race from stakes-winning More Than Ready (USA) mare Blizzardly.
Her yearling colt by Xtravagant sold for $185,000 at Inglis Classic last week when bought by Salvador Bloodstock / Duggan Racing and she was covered by Churchill (IRE) last spring after missing to Merchant Navy.
Maharba is the 16th stakes-winner for Coolmore’s dual Group I winning sire Pride of Dubai.
