Winslow export Ciaron Maher joined an exclusive club when he added the Sovereign Resort Galleywood Hurdle to his burgeoning collection of major race victories.
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The 37-year-old became just the third trainer in carnival history to win the 'big three' feature jumps races when Big Blue claimed the Galleywood by three lengths on Wednesday.
Maher joins legendary horseman Jim Houlahan and veteran Cranbourne trainer Eric Musgrove as the only trainers to have won the Brierly Steeplechase, Galleywood Hurdle and Grand Annual Steeplechase.
"This race has eluded me, it was great to get it ticked off," Maher said after the race.
"It's a race I've always wanted to tick off. I thought he was the horse to do it. That was the sole aim for the preparation."
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Maher won his fourth Brierly Steeplechase on Tuesday and will be aiming for his fifth Grand Annual Steeplechase on Thursday.
Maher, who trains in partnership with David Eustace, said he had rarely contested the Galleywood, having saddled up only two runners previously.
He said Big Blue was the perfect horse for the race and he is predicting big things for the seven-year-old gelding.
Maher is predicting an international career for Big Blue.
"I would love to travel him overseas to Cheltenham possibly next year. There is a race there called the World Hurdle in March. I'm confident he would be very competitive on the world stage as a jumper.
"I had previously thought of taking Bashboy but he was an older horse and Big Blue has had a new lease of life and I think he could be a top-class jumper on the world stage."
Maher revealed his assistant trainer at his Sydney operation Annabel Neasham had identified the horse at a sale and urged him to buy him.
Warrnambool businessman Colin McKenna, a senior part owner, told the presentations he had backed Neasham's view.
"I said to buy him," he said.
"If we had missed out by $10,000, people would have said 'how bloody stupid are you'.
Irish jockey John Allen was lauded for his ride on Big Blue. It was his fourth victory in six years in the Galleywood.
