Another brace to Al Maher

NOVEMBER 14, 2009: Al Maher had another ‘good day at the office’ when his six starters on the nationwide Saturday program yielded two winners and a valiant runner-up in one of the features of the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

The second season stallion enjoyed an early double when Lady Gaga and Bazardo posted maiden victories at Mornington and Gundagai respectively. This duo brought Al Maher’s number of 3-year-old winners so far in season 2009/10 to a total of 15. Only Fastnet Rock has been represented by more winners in the second season sire category.

Al Maher’s latest brace of wins came on the same afternoon that witnessed Majestic Music play her part in a memorable renewal of the Group 2 MRC Sandown Guineas which saw her fail by only a half-neck to undo hot favourite Kidnapped. The only filly in the contest, Majestic Music hit the front racing into the final furlong but could not hold off the resurgence of a high-class gelding completing an impressive hat-trick following notable wins at Caulfield and Flemington.

In addition to being the second leading sophomore stallion in Australia based on number of individual winners, Al Maher is also safely found in the top-four second season stallions based on progeny earnings. The success of his two winners, plus the placing of Majestic Music, took him past $750,000 after just three and a half months of competition since August 1.