Ciaron Maher already has one Coolmore Classic trophy on his mantlepiece, and he believes emerging mare Semana has the credentials to deliver him another.
Maher and former training partner David Eustace captured the race two years ago with Lighthouse and Maher says Semana is just as talented as the American import.
“Every bit I think,” Maher said.
“I toyed with the idea of running her in the Orr (Stakes)…. but then I gave myself an uppercut and thought I’d go to the handicap Group One, it would suit her better.
“I think she is that sort of level.”
Lighthouse had finished runner-up in the CF Orr Stakes and Canterbury Stakes prior to winning the Coolmore Classic in 2022.
Semana hasn’t been to that level yet, but with seven wins from 15 starts she is building an imposing strikerate and arrives at Saturday’s feature off the back of a brace of wins.
After comfortably claiming the Magic Millions Fillies and Mares (1400m) in January, she made a successful leap into Group 3 grade with a strong victory in the Triscay Stakes (1200m) last month.
While she enjoyed an unimpeded run down the outside to score, Maher still felt Semana did an outstanding job to handle the drop in distance and get the job done.
“She was super at the Magic Millions and then even back at 12 (1200 metres) the other day, she was fantastic,” Maher said.
“Things did pan out for her, but she is just improving with every start.
“This has been the plan for a while, to get into that handicap race.”
Semana will be one of three Maher-trained runners in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) along with Yonce and Jennilala, who are both last start winners in Melbourne.
Semana is the most fancied of the trio at $8.50 with the Chris Waller-trained Zougotcha a $4.20 favourite.
A final field of 18 was paid up for the feature on Wednesday with three fillies among the acceptances – Tropical Squall , Kimochi and Barby’s Doll – all striving to become the first three-year-old to upset the mares since Typhoon Tracy in 2009.