Normally, Ciaron Maher carries a handkerchief in his pocket to the races, but the champion trainer admits he'll have a few extra come Flemington on Saturday.
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Colin McKenna, a great mate and mentor for Maher passed away after a short illness on Sunday, October 27.
Maher saddles up Another Wil, a horse McKenna bred and raced in partnership with his family and friends from his Warrnambool abattoir in the $500,000 Group 2 Damian Oliver to be run on the opening day of the 2024 VRC Cup Carnival at Flemington.
Australia's leading trainer told ACM Racing that Flemington's meeting will be a tough day for plenty of people.
"It's going to be really tough on Saturday," Maher said.
"Colin will not be there in a physical sense, but he'll be among us.
"The emotions around our stable have been really high since Colin passed away last Sunday.
"It's been a very sombre time, but we've tried to remember the good times which we spent with Colin.
"It's been well-documented Colin played a massive part in my career.
"I wouldn't be here today without the support, advice, care and love that Colin gave me.
"I'm sure if Another Wil wins there will not be a dry eye at Flemington on Saturday."
Another Wil put in a lacklustre performance when he was unplaced in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap at his last start, but Maher is hoping for a better effort from the lightly raced galloper who will be ridden by Jamie Kah in the Damian Oliver.
"We were left scratching our heads after Another Wil's run in the Toorak," he said.
"It was uncharacteristic. We know Another Wil is better than that.
"Jockey Michael Dee, who rode Another Wil in the Toorak, didn't really do anything wrong, but Jamie rides on Saturday and she's got a wonderful understanding of the horse.
"Another Wil has drawn barrier two in the Oliver. I would say Jamie will be just sitting off the pace.
"I think that might be his best style of racing. He led in the Toorak and in hindsight, it might not have been the best move."
Another Wil's biggest danger may be his stablemate Jimmysstar.
The five-year-old New Zealand-bred galloper has won his first two starts in this campaign for Maher, but jumps in class for the Oliver.
"Jimmysstar and Another Wil are similar types of horses," Maher said.
"They're both progressive types and have plenty of upside. They have both been lightly raced, but have good winning strike rates.
"I'm pleased with Jimmysstar's two runs in this preparation, but he's jumping up from a listed race to a Group 2.
"Jimmysstar came from well back in the field on both occasions hitting the line strongly.
"He's trained on well since his last start win at Caulfield.
"I'm quietly confident either Another Wil or Jimmysstar should win, but I really can't split them.
"For obvious reasons, I would love to see Another Wil win as I said it will be a really emotional time if he happens to win."
BET365 rate Another Wil and Jimmysstar as the $3.20 joint favourites for the Damian Oliver.
Star young colt Growing Empire, with Mark Zahra onboard, lines up in the $2 million Group 1 Coolmore Stakes and Maher is buoyant about his hopes after an impressive track gallop on Tuesday.
"Growing Empire worked really well on Tuesday," he said.
"Growing Empire is a top young colt. His last two starts in the Manikato and Everest against open aged horses were great runs.
"He drops back to three-year-old company in the Coolmore and it looks an ideal race for him.
"He's already a very valuable colt, but his value will skyrocket if he can take out the Coolmore."
Growing Empire is the $3.80 favourite for the Coolmore, while Traffic Warden - trained by James Cummings - is second favourite at odds of $4.20 in the 1200m contest.
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Maher, who won his first VRC Derby with Hitotsu in 2021, is chasing his second victory in the time-honoured race with Saint Emilion.
Saint Emilion won the $200,000 Listed Geelong Classic at his fourth race start and the master trainer said the colt will appreciate the 2500m of the Derby.
"I think Saint Emilion is crying out for the 2500m," he said.
"Saint Emilion hit the line strongly at the end of the Geelong Classic. That run showed he's ready to run out the 2500m."
Top Sydney jockey Tim Clark has been booked to ride Saint Emilion who is a $17 chance with BET365 for the Derby.
Maher has a strong hand in Sydney on Saturday, with numerous runners at Rosehill, including Southport Tycoon in the $10 million Golden Eagle.
