Maher, who operates a training partnership with David Eustace, was on a high after the victory of Kenedna (Not A Single Doubt) in the preceding G1 Doomben Cup and Etana’s success was the icing on the cake.
He had co-signed for the filly with Dermot Farrington at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $400,000, which became something of a financial liability soon after.
“We got stuck with a piece of her, which was quite expensive, and to get a bit of black type with the filly means she might be worth somewhere near what I paid for her,” Maher said.
Etana as a yearling
His original investment might be looking even better in the near future with Etna’s Roses success boosting her G1 Queensland Oaks prospects.
“We’ve given her a bit of time between runs and set her for this race, but we weren’t quite sure whether she’d stay,” Maher said.
“We’ve given her a bit of time between runs and set her for this race, but we weren’t quite sure whether she’d stay.” – Ciaron Maher.
“She is a beautiful, clean-winded filly and credit to all the team. This horse was a fraction tired at Caulfield and wasn’t blossoming so we sent her up to Ballarat to the new stable.
“There’s just more room there and in the country environment she really thrived. She’s come up here and really enjoyed the warmer weather.
"I couldn't be happier with her going towards the Oaks. She still looks like she needs to furnish even now.
"We've waited as long as we could to get a bit of black type because she needed the time and what can I say about this track - I love it."
Etana, like Kenedna partnered by John Allen, rounded off strongly from midfield to account for Aliferous (Hinchinbrook) and Welsh Legend (Camelot {GB}).
Zoustyle back in style
It may not have been a black type race, but there was also major interest in an earlier age group event on the undercard in the day and it didn’t disappoint with Zoustyle (Zoustar) retaining his perfect record.
He jumped to the front under jockey Brad Stewart and was coasting along before a mid-race scare when he threw his head in the air for a few strides.
Stewart was able to get him back under control and Zoustyle purred home for his sixth consecutive victory.
"I think he was just feeling a bit new and wanted to get on with it," Stewart said.
“We can go to the Moreton Cup at Doomben in a fortnight and then on to the Stradbroke." - Tony Gollan.
Zoustyle is at the top of the betting for the G1 Stradbroke H., but trainer Tony Gollan has yet to confirm the 3-year-old’s involvement.
"There are plenty of options for him. We can go to the Moreton Cup at Doomben in a fortnight and then on to the Stradbroke," Gollan said.
"Or we can just head to the three-year-old race on Stradbroke day and then look at something later in the carnival.
"It will all come down to how he does in the next few days. We have always managed his career carefully."
