The Ciaron Maher team acknowledges that Estriella has tested punters’ patience in Group 1 races, but they remain confident that she has what it takes to break through at the highest level, starting with Saturday’s $750,000 Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield.
The talented daughter of I Am Invincible is one of three Maher-trained runners in the 1100-metre sprint, joined by late Black Caviar Lightning scratching I Am Me and stablemate Jimmysstar.
Known for her early speed, Estriella has been trained this preparation to settle rather than lead, a shift that assistant trainer Turnbull believes will serve her well in the long run.
“We’ve taught her to take a sit. Not that she hasn’t been able to before, but in the past, we’ve used her speed more aggressively,” Turnbull said. “If we want her to be strong over six furlongs, she needs to learn to relax in the first half of her races.”
The new approach has been tested in two jumpouts, and Maher’s team is eager to see it in action on race day.
Estriella has contested four Group 1 races, twice as the favourite, with her best result being a fourth-place finish in last year’s Moir Stakes (1000m), won by Mornington Glory. This campaign, she has been based at Maher’s Cranbourne stable rather than Fingal, a change that Turnbull says has had a positive impact.
“She’s a bit more relaxed and not as wired, which just comes with age. We haven’t done anything special, but the environment seems to suit her better,” he said.
Blake Shinn will reunite with Estriella in the Oakleigh Plate, while Nash Rawiller takes the reins on I Am Me and Ethan Brown partners Jimmysstar.
The Oakleigh Plate field features a strong lineup, including Mornington Glory, Rey Magnerio, Sghirripa, Arabian Summer, She’s Bulletproof, Ashford Street, and Espionage. Mrs Chrissie is also entered but is yet to be confirmed as a starter.
Jimmysstar resumes his campaign in the Oakleigh Plate after a strong win over Ashford Street and Rey Magnerio over the same 1100m trip at Caulfield last preparation.
“We know 1100m is at the lower end of his preferred distance, but given how the Oakleigh Plate is shaping up and how sharp he’s feeling in his work, we thought this was the right kick-off point instead of waiting for the Abell Stakes next week,” Turnbull explained.
The Oakleigh Plate is one of three Group 1 races at Caulfield this Saturday, with Maher also fielding Cherish Me, Icarian Dream, and Wiltshire Square in the $2 million Blue Diamond Stakes, while Semana is likely to be his sole representative in the $750,000 Futurity Stakes (1400m).
