Ciaron Maher and David Eustace are set to up the ante in Sydney with the training duo expanding their presence at Warwick Farm.

The pair have been granted an additional 30 boxes at the south western Sydney track and significantly, Maher will base himself locally while he oversees their period of growth.

The stable has trained 26 metropolitan winners in Sydney so far this season to sit fifth on the premiership, while they lead the title race in Melbourne with 62 wins leading into Wednesday’s midweek meetings.

Australian Turf Club chairman Peter McGauran said on Wednesday that the decision by the leading Australian trainers to increase their Sydney presence was a reflection of the strong state of NSW racing.

“We are very pleased to see that significant increases in prizemoney offered by Racing NSW and the ATC are bringing more horses, owners and trainers to prepare and race on our tracks,” McGauran said.

Maher and Eustace have accepted with 11 horses at Rosehill on Saturday including a trio of runners in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) – Ruthless Dame, Times Square and Pride Of Jenni.

Ruthless Dame is the most fancied of the three at $8 with unibet after being narrowly beaten by Sunshine In Paris last start in the Surround Stakes.

They also have the early favourite for the Group 3 Magic Night Stakes (1200m) in Steel City, who can secure herself a spot in the Golden Slipper if she wins on Saturday.