Maher lands maiden win in Thousand Guineas with Another Prophet holding off flying favourite

Australia’s leading trainer Ciaron Maher landed yet another Group 1 success this year by causing a boilover in the $1.5 million Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield with Another Prophet.

A $41 TABtouch outsider, Another Prophet raced forward upon barrier release, with jockey Ethan Brown finding the perfect spot one-out and one-back as Too Darn Lizzie ($16) led the pack.

Meanwhile, $3.20 favourite Aeliana was strangled back by hoop James McDonald in third last place, nine lengths from the pace.

When Too Darn Lizzie tried to slip the field by the 600m, Brown popped three-wide on the Brazen Beau filly to begin a move before her rider finally cut her loose at the 300m mark.

Another Prophet claimed the lead with 150m to go and looked the winner with few others making a dent before Aeliana began to hit top stride.

McDonald’s mount had trouble gaining clear running into the straight but once clear, produced a barnstorming burst to flash down the outside.

But the short Caulfield straight proved her enemy, with Another Prophet clinging on to win by a long neck to provide Ciaron Maher with his first win in the race.

“We thought there was a little bit of improvement in her coming out of her last run and she actually ran a peak last start, so that gave us the confidence going forward,” Maher said.

“I was actually just watching Browny and wanting her to drop her head after the first furlong or so.

“Once I saw her nose drop, I thought ‘gee, we’re in business here’.”

McDonald attributed the defeat to a common flaw of Aeliana’s racing pattern, which ultimately was the difference.

“Unfortunately, like she did at Flemington, she hit that flat spot and then here she never got through it,” McDonald said.

“She let herself down that way. Had she balanced up better earlier she would have won.”

Later, Yulong Investments were given yet another Group 1 across the spring as Kimochi ran on from near the tail to salute in the $1 million Sportsbet Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m).

The $23 shot duelled it out with $2.70 favourite Another Wil over the final few hundred metres, with the four-year-old mare just edging clear to win by a half-length.