Another Prophet springs surprise in Thousand Guineas

[Wandering Eyes]

Another Prophet ridden by Ethan Brown wins the Group 1 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield Racecourse. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos)

Australia’s top trainers have come to the fore in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas, with Another Prophet ($34) for Ciaron Maher taking out the three-year-old fillies contest ahead of the Chris Waller-trained Aeliana ($3) and Too Darn Lizzie ($26) from the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott stable.

Too Darn Lizzie led the field at a strong tempo, followed by Stage ‘N’ Screen ($8), Supercilious ($41), and the eventual winner, who settled in the one-one position and received the best run of the race.

Horse racing bookmakers favourite Aeliana settled well back in the field with other market fancies Lovelycut ($11) and Benagil ($11).

Turning for home, Too Darn Lizzie drifted off the inside rail and gave a strong kick, but Another Prophet loomed largely on her outside, and she took over with 200m to go.

Matisse ($16) and Aeliana let down with their finishing bursts, with the former inconveniencing the latter slightly, before James McDonald asked for the ultimate effort in the final 150m.

To her credit, Aeliana picked herself up, and she rattled home down the middle of the track but left her run too late and couldn’t pick up Another Prophet, who claimed a half-length win in the feature event at Caulfield.

2024 Thousand Guineas replay – Another Prophet

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Ciaron Maher was on course to speak about the victory.

“We knew she was on the right trajectory,” Maher said.

“We thought there was a little bit of improvement in her coming out of her last run and she actually ran a peak last start so that gave us the confidence going forward.

“It was obviously a bit of a roll at the stumps but that was the science behind it.

“She’d thrived and as I said to Brownie going out ‘well, I think we can win this.’

“He rode her so confidently, it was a very comfortable watch.

“(I was confident) the whole way.

“I was actually just watching Brownie and wanting her to drop her head after the first furlong or so.

“Once I saw her nose drop I thought ‘gee, we’re in business here’.

“Just fantastic, Brownie.

“He’s a good mate, we’ve had some great wins together and hopefully there’s plenty more in store.”

Ethan Brown was confident in his filly, and he spoke about that confidence in his post-race interview.

“Her whole build-up… at the start, she was leading up half-mile trials and doing it upside down so it was a matter of teaching her,” Brown said.

“She was a bit wound up at Moonee Valley and I think that is when we started thinking about her stretching to a mile.

“She’s always had good ability and certainly with the right trainer.

“I think she’s just progressed and what gave me more confidence was when we got in the yard and Ciaron said tucked up again since last start.

“Cantered to the gates and it felt on.

“Lobbed in a beautiful spot.

“She was a bit keen early, I was a bit worried about that, but as Ciaron said one she dropped her head she travelled sweet and built into it beautifully and showed her true colours today.

“A bit of cover was essential so I have to contain her early and once we got that first half right, it was easy from then.”

“It hasn’t sunk in yet.

“I’ve only ridden five (Group 1s) and they still all feel like my first. I’ve got a long way to catch J-Mac.”

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