A stakes-winner last season at two, the Grahame Begg trained Pride of Dubai gelding Maharba returned to top form at his second run back from a spell when powering home to win at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
Ridden by Mick Dee, Maharba improved sharply on his first up run to charge home between runners and win the 1200m sprint by the best part of a length over another stakes-winner in Brave Mead.
“He prepped up well coming into that first run back and has continued to improve after the race,” said Grahame Begg.
“After he was beaten first up I had to go back and recalibrate and this race was on and it seemed a better option and he’s got the money so we might be back here for the Red Anchor (G3 on Cox Plate day).”
A half-brother to Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Unencumbered Maharba was bred by Newhaven Park and runs for Garry and Marianne Towzell.
Maharba has the overall record of two wins from six starts with prizemoney topping $277,000 and is the seventh winner from eight foals to race from stakes-winning More Than Ready (USA) mare Blizzardly.
Her two year-old colt by Xtravagant sold for $185,000 at Inglis Classic this year when bought by Salvador Bloodstock / Duggan Racing and she was covered by Churchill (IRE) last spring after missing to Merchant Navy.
Maharba was one of seven Australian stakes-winners last season for Pride of Dubai, who stands at Coolmore at a fee of $27,500.
