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Racing

Mukhtalif scores at Australian debut

Irish-bred import Mukhtalif has made an imposing start to his Australian career with a win at Caulfield.

MUKHTALIF winning the Robert Taranto Handicap at Caulfield in Australia.
MUKHTALIF winning the Robert Taranto Handicap at Caulfield in Australia. Picture: Racing Photos

The Ciaron Maher stable invariably produces an imported galloper that races through the winter months and shows above average staying ability. 

Irish-bred import Mukhtalif made an impressive start to his Australian career with victory in the Robert Taranto Handicap (1800m) at Caulfield on Saturday to suggest he has a bright future head for his new stable. 

Sent out the $4.60 favourite under Ben Allen, Mukhtalif rode the speed before scoring a two-length victory from Figlio D'Argento ($5.50) with Merchant Flyer ($11) a short-half-head away third. 

Mukhtalif had scored at Newmarket and York before being purchased by by his new connections that include the My Racehorse Syndicate and Jack Turnbull, Maher's National Assistant Trainer, said the stable would not be in any immediate rush with the gelding. 

Turnbull said the stable plans to make use of the gelding's low rating while gradually stepping him up in grade. 

"Whilst he's fresh, I don't think we'll have to rush him up in trip," Turnbull said. 

"There's an 1800-metre race at Flemington, at the end of the month, April 25, so that was our next possible option if we did win here. 

"But we'll see how he is. He's not slow, he's just one of those horses you have to be careful how you ride him. 

"He was well bought and hopefully he's our next progressive winter stayer." 

Allen pushed forward from the wide draw to sit second behind the runner-up before taking over soon after straightening. 

"We didn't think he would be as forward in the run as he was," Turnbull said. 

"He did a fraction of work to get to where he did, but then he relaxed well for Ben thereafter and had a couple of cheap sectionals and then built. 

"He's the type that can build and once he didn't get caught out on that tempo, he was able to build and was strong through the line." 

Allen said Mukhtalif had wanted to float late in the race despite scoring comfortably. 

"When the others caught up over the line he wanted to go again and it took me a while to pull him up," Allen said. 


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