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By Ray Hickson

Trainer Ciaron Maher will have no hesitation in setting promising filly Estriella for loftier spring races if she can pass what he says is a stern test at Randwick on Saturday.

Trainer Ciaron Maher (Pic: Steve Hart)

With the Princess Series fast approaching, kicking off with the Group 2 Darley Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) in three weeks, the rising three-year-old has the chance to convince Maher, and co-trainer David Eustace, she’s ready for the challenge.

Estriella created a huge impression with a dominant debut win at Gosford back on June 22 so it’s no surprise that she’s strongly fancied to make it two from two in the ATC Thank You Trainers Handicap (1100m).

“This is by no means an easy race I wouldn’t think, it’s quite deep and there’s some nicely rated horses there,’’ Maher said.

“It’s not an off-season race, it’s an early spring race.

“If she did the right thing (the Silver Shadow) would be nice timing. If you won this race, I’d say whatever is winning, you would be looking at a race like that for sure.”

As impressive as Estriella was at Gosford, where she easily accounted for subsequent city winner Sicilian, Maher said the rising three-year-old still has to take that next step but should appreciate the open spaces of Randwick.

There’s no doubt he thinks the I Am Invincible filly, $3.10 with TAB on Thursday, has plenty more to give but remains somewhat guarded for the time being.

“She trialled nicely and we were pretty optimistic going into her first run,’’ he said.

“It was at Gosford and the form out of it is good so everything points in the right direction.

“We’ve drawn well and she’ll take a bit of improvement from it but it certainly looks a deep race.”

Another filly Maher has plenty of time for is lightly raced three-year-old Venelope who will be second-up if she takes her place in the Marcellin College Randwick Handicap (1300m).

Venelope ran a close third back on July 5 on the Kensington track behind Sweysive, also over 1300m, though Maher suspects she may be looking for slightly further.

“When I saw her as a young horse in the paddock at Segenhoe she was always going to take a bit of time,’’ he said.

“It was a nice run the other day and I think she will come on from that as well. The 1300m is probably as short as what she wants it and there is a 1400m next week.”

In-form gelding Windshadow chases a hat-trick in the Gow-Gates Insurance Brokers Handicap (1300m) and Maher sees no reason why he can’t hold his form.

Estriella wins at Gosford on June 22

He chased the speed set by Either Oar at Rosehill back on July 1 and wore her down before holding off a late surge by Cosmic Minerva.

Maher said he’s taking a high level of fitness into Saturday’s race so expects him to hold his form.

“He’s a horse that has taken a while to hit his straps,’’ he said.

“It was a bloody good win from him the other day. The owners have been persistent and they were justified last start and this is a nice progressive race for him.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Randwick meeting