Maher’s best on Saturday and the stable’s “clear top pick” in the Pakenham Cup

Star trainer Ciaron Maher has identified his stable’s best winning hopes on Saturday.

Maher saddles up Nadal as the favourite in the inaugural Pakenham slot race - the $1 million Supernova

Nadal, the last-start Meteorite winner at Cranbourne, steps up from 1200m to 1400m and Maher is confident he can take it all in his stride under in-form jockey Ethan Brown.

“When they’re that dynamic over 1200m they’re always a little question over the seven (furlongs, 1400m),” he said on SENTrack’s Giddy Up.

“But he relaxes so well and is quite kind to himself. The way he got through the line (at Cranbourne), I think he should be fine.

“I think he should be hard to beat and ‘Browny’ is just in super form at the moment.”

Nadal, who fills the Maher Racing slot, is currently the $2.60 favourite with Sportsbet for the Supernova.

The stable’s other hope, Chorlton Lane, will race for the Moonee Valley Racing Club. He is a $10 shot.

Then there is another last-start winner in Gilded Water who runs at Randwick following his debut triumph on Australian soil at Kembla Grange on November 23.

Owned by King Charles, the four-year-old gelding is a firm $2.40 favourite in the Precise Air Handicap Benchmark-78 over 2400m where he will be ridden Dylan Browne McMonagle.

“Up to the mile and a half will only be to his benefit,” Maher said.

“Hopefully we can keep the record intact.”

Asked for his best on Saturday, Maher said: “I’d say it’s His Majesty’s horse, Gilded Water, he’ll be very hard to beat.

“And hopefully Nadal.”

The stable will also have a trio of runners in the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) - Strawberry Rock, Herman Hesse and Smokin’ Romans - with Maher rating them in order of their winning chances.

“I think (Smokin’) Romans is the clear top pick,” he said.

“He ran in the Melbourne Cup a couple of years ago and it just took him a while to get over that and get back to form.

“I think he’s nearly right back to it now. His work was super the other day and he’s racing with great heart. He’s got a bit of weight but I think he’s probably the class.

“Herman Hesse has had a super prep and will be better on top of the ground. He’s a genuine horse and should run to form.

“Strawberry (Rock) is the one that’s better at the weights and has come up pretty well. He will improve off last start.

“He’s the one at the weights, but I do think ‘Smokey’ is the one.”

Smokin’ Romans, for Ethan Brown, is the $3.70 favourite for the Pakenham Cup, while Herman Hesse, who will be ridden by Saffie Osborne, is $8.50, and Strawberry Rock, for Harry Coffey, is rated a $10 chance.

Among his many runners, Maher will also have favourite Socks Nation in the feature race in Perth - the Group 2 Van Heemst Stakes (2100m) at Ascot.

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