Group wins ahead of Mr O’Ceirin

Champion jockey Glen Boss rated Mr O’Ceirin (NZ) as a potential Group 2 horse after an effortless victory in the Printhouse Graphics Hcp (2040m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

“He’s a Group horse every day of the week,” declared Boss.  “He had lengths on them today.”

Mr O’Ceirin (5g Postponed – Cadell by Yachtie) was runner-up to Folding Gear (NZ) in last September’s G3 Naturalism Handicap.  He was a two-time winner in New Zealand for Foxton trainer Sandie Cookson before crossing the Tasman.

The gelding has won a further 6 races and $235,200 in prizemoney since transferring to Ciaran Maher in Melbourne.

Maher said he will discuss with the owners what direction to take with Mr O’Ceirin before he takes aim at the spring carnival.  “I don’t think we’ve seen him the best of him yet.  I think he’s a 2400m horse.

“He was a bit stiff not to get into the Caulfield Cup last year,” Maher added.  “He had a good run in the Naturalism but just got caught.  He might be a bit stronger this year.”

Bred by the Keenan Family Trust, Mr O’Ceirin is by Postponed who stands at Westbury Stud for a $7,000 (plus gst) fee.  His dam Cadell won 6 races and her first winner O’Ceirins Angel (Al Akbar) scored back-to-back victories in the G3 Stoney Bridge Stakes.