By Bren O'Brien
Former Warrnambool-based trainer Ciaron Maher and his partner David Eustace have celebrated victory in the $300,000 Jericho Cup with Ablaze (NZ) (Raise The Flag {GB}).
In what was the second running of the race at Warrnambool, Ablaze was given a soft run by Group 1 winning jockey John Allen and assumed control with around 700 metres of the 4600-metre event to go.
Local hope Golden Flag (NZ) (Raise The Flag {GB}), trained by Patrick Ryan, briefly loomed as a threat at the top of the straight, but was unable to bridge the gap on the well-backed favourite and was beaten 0.75l, providing a quinella for South Island stallion Raise The Flag (Sadler's Wells {USA}).
Where Are You (NZ) (Ekraar {USA}), trained by Cambridge-based Shaune Ritchie, completed a New Zealand-bred trifecta in third, another 10l away.
The race has been set up to honour ANZAC soldiers and commemorates a horse race run as part of a military ruse during the famous World War 1 Battle of Beersheba called the Jericho Cup.
The race, run over three miles through the desert sands of Palestine, was won by a waler called Bill The Bastard.
Rod Lyons (right)
Ablaze is owned by a syndicate headed by Rod Lyons and races in the same colours as Group 1 winning sprinter Nature Strip (Nicconi). Lyons said the feeling of winning the race on Sunday was comparable to a Group 1 success.
"It's an absolute thrill. We know what it means, the Jericho Cup and we set the horse for the race. Half of those in the horse are Kiwis and half are Aussies and we've come here and it’s as big a thrill I have had in racing," he said.
"It means so much to our heritage, what these brave men and women did for us. To be here, honestly, I am beyond words I am so thrilled to have won the race."
"It means so much to our heritage, what these brave men and women did for us... I am so thrilled to have won the race." - Rod Lyons
Lyons said the impact the Jericho Cup has had in such a short period of time was remarkable and a testament to its major supporter Bill Gibbins.
"We have had seven guys fly over from New Zealand for it. We explained the whole concept of it and have read about it. It means so much to our heritage. We are here through the sacrifice these men and women made. It brings a tear to your eye just thinking it about it. It's an honour to win it," he said.
Local celebration for Mahers
Understandably, it was also a significant win for Maher, and his family, including stable foreman, his brother Declan, who was trackside.
Ablaze (NZ) and his strapper
"We are a pretty tight group, we are local people from Warrnambool and it’s our first runner in the race," Declan said. "It’s quite weird, it’s like a mini Grand Annual.
"I couldn't be prouder and it’s a big team effort for everybody and this mightn't be a winner at Flemington during the carnival, but it means just as much to us."
"I couldn't be prouder and it’s a big team effort for everybody." - Declan Maher
Ablaze began his career in New Zealand, racing with success for Brian and Shane Anderton - who stand his sire Raise The Flag at White Robe Lodge in Otago, before coming to Australia for a jumping career earlier this year.
He won a maiden hurdle at Coleraine by 15l in August and then backed up to win the feature JJ Houlahan Hurdle at Ballarat later that month.
Ablaze (NZ) winning the JJ Houlahan Hurdle at Ballarat
It was then Declan convinced his brother to set the 8-year-old for the Jericho Cup. He qualified for the race with a win at Gawler in October and came into Sunday's event off a six-week freshen.
Maher and Eustace could now aim Ablaze at an unprecedented double with Allen suggesting post race that he would make the ideal candidate for the Warrnambool Grand Annual steeplechase in May.
The $25,000 bonus for the trainer on the day to have a winner with the smallest stable went to local trainer Mervyn McKenzie, who saddled up A Good Yarn (O'Lonhro) to win the Shojun Charge at Beersheba Sprint.
