By David Nagel
Cranbourne-trainer Ciaron Maher looks to have another exciting prospect on his hands after his four-year-old gelding Nadal made a one-act affair of the inaugural running of the $1million The Meteorite (1200m) at Cranbourne on Saturday.
Ciaron Maher Racing was one of 14 ‘Slot Holders’ for the race, buying in with the opportunity to claim the bulk of the unbelievable prizemoney on offer.
The Meteorite was a roaring success and the first ‘$1million’ race to ever be staged at Cranbourne.
Nadal represented his home stable with real class.
Jockey Ethan Brown settled Nadal towards the back of the field off a hot tempo, before unleashing a withering run at the top of the straight to leave a class field in his wake.
Nadal gave the leaders wind-burn over the concluding stages of the race to win running away by almost three lengths on the line, with Rey Magnerio and race-favourite Baraqiel filling the minor placings.
Maher’s stable representative Adrian Joyce gave praise to Brown for riding a patient race, after the leaders had skipped clear mid-race.
Nadal’s win provided further success for part-owners Ozzie Kheir and John O’Neill who have been major supporters of the stable.
“Ethan (Brown) has to get a lot of the credit because it went very hard and he had to come from a long way back,” Joyce explained.
“He decided, obviously as he was in the run, he didn’t want to pull out wide and come with that long-range run, so he waited, and he just got the splits and he gave him a super ride.
“It’s great for Ozzie and John and the rest of the crew involved in him.
“They’re great supporters of the yard, and of Ciaron’s…it’s super.”
Brown said he reverted to Plan B after the speed was on early.
“It looked quick on paper and I did want to be a bit closer, but they kept up that genuine gallop which pushed us a pair further back,” he said.
“I just rode in as they started fanning around the corner and I thought we can’t loop them.
“So, give him a click, he was right there for me, a gap presented and off he went.
“That was a good win, and rates much better than his win at Caulfield the other day.
The feeling he gave me was terrific, and I’d like to stay on his back.”
Nadal has now won three of 10 starts and amassed over $650,000 in prizemoney.
