Mr O'Ceirin Makes All In Naturalism

Mr O'Ceirin has enjoyed a Naturalism Stakes made to order with the Ciaron Maher-trained gelding leading throughout in the 2000m Group 3 event.

Freshened after winning the Grafton Cup, Mr O'Ceirin was impressive last start when second in the Slickpix Stakes (1700m) and went one better at Caulfield on Saturday.

There would have been something wrong had Mr O'Ceirin not however after setting some snail-paced early sectionals under the guidance of Glen Boss.

Mr O'Ceirin was still full of running upon straightening and had no problems holding off a late surge from the Peter Moody-trained Kesampour.

“The race was really run to suit this horse,” winning trainer Ciaron Maher said.

“He just lobbed across from a wide gate and had it all his own way. The conditions really suited him today.”

Mr O'Ceirin has enjoyed plenty of good results from just limited opportunity in 2013 having recorded two wins and a second from his past three outings.

Maher has been particularly happy with how the Postponed gelding returned from a winter freshen up following his career win in the Grafton Cup.

“He went back down to Warrnambool and didn't do a lot,” Maher said.

“He just maintained his fitness and freshened up really well.

“His first up run was probably his best at that distance and now he has carried it on today.

“He was stiffed in this race last year so it is good to get him in.

Tilts at Group 1 success will now ensue for Mr O'Ceirin with next month's Caulfield Cup (2400m) on the horizon.

He will get to the Caulfield Cup via the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) on October 12.


today's racing

Error occured
{{disciplineGroup.DisciplineFullText}}
{{course.CountryName || course.Country}}