Horse trainer Ciaron Maher gives his predictions for his three runners in the Warrnambool Cup
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00:00We're here with Kieran Marr on the eve of the Warrnambool Cup.
00:04Kieran, it's a race you've never won, a Warrnambool Cup, amongst...
00:08There's not many races, feature races, and this is a listed race,
00:12and I take it that it's a race you've always wanted to win.
00:14Yeah, that's very true.
00:17That's a race that's eluded myself and the stable,
00:21so we have three genuine chances this year,
00:24so hopefully we can fix that problem.
00:28We'll go from the top, Smokin' Romans.
00:31He's a high-quality horse, back to form last start in the Mornington Cup.
00:35Carries a bit of weight, but is fitting well.
00:39Next.
00:40Strawberry Rock, very similar, very narrowly beaten in the Mornington Cup.
00:45Can mix his form, but he was a stride-off winner in that race the other day,
00:50so he's in good order.
00:53And third is Zeryab, who won the Terrain Cup and ran it quite well.
00:59Hasn't been out to the trip yet, but I think he'll run it,
01:02and he's got no weight, so I think he's probably the top pick
01:08from Strawberry Rock and Smokin' Romans.
01:12Terrain Cup form has stood up well for a Warrnambool Cup for years now, hasn't it?
01:16Yeah, it has, it has, and it was a very strong win.
01:21He went to the front and just improved his position,
01:24and T.O. was a very good ride that day.
01:28He can be a little bit of a handful, that horse,
01:30and so I'm sure T.O. would be quite keen to win the Cup.
01:35I'm not sure whether he's won one, but I would say not.
01:38As not.
01:39As not.
01:40So hopefully we both can get the job done.
01:42What about at Grand Daniel?
01:43You haven't got a runner and you've won the race seven times.
01:46You would have had an early look at the field.
01:48Who do you put on top there?
01:51Well, I think Andrew Bobbin's horse.
01:55Duker Bedford.
01:57I think winning form is good form.
01:58It's had the right prep.
02:00Might be a little bit questionable at the trip,
02:05but yeah, it obviously gets around the track well.
02:08It's in form, confidence is up,
02:10and I'd say you'll be able to beat.
02:14What about your old mate's horse, Aaron Purcells,
02:16the instigator made up plenty of ground
02:18over concluding stages in the Briley?
02:20He knows exactly what to do with them, Aaron.
02:23He's had a lot of runners in the Grand Annual,
02:26and that horse was good late.
02:28He can read the newspaper a bit as well,
02:34mix his form around,
02:35but in that sort of race,
02:38I think he will find his rhythm,
02:41and he doesn't like too much pressure,
02:43and he certainly won't get it in that race,
02:45so he'll be a chance as well.
02:47No worries at all.
02:48Thank you very much for your time.
02:49Kieran Marr.
02:50Cheers, Tim.
02:50Kieran Marr.