Maher’s Melek makes promising start to career

Trainer Ciaron Maher may have sold subsequent Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours, but he could find some solace after unearthing another potentially talented stayer by the same sire at Caulfield on Wednesday.

Four-year-old Melek, who like the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Half Yours is by St Jean, finished strongly in a 1600-metre maiden on the Caulfield Heath track to score by a length for jockey Craig Williams.

Firming from 6.50 to 4.20 in the 30 minutes before the opening race, Melek is raced by Maher and Halo Racing Services, the racing banner of the late Colin McKenna, and he is out of their resolute jumping mare Regina Coeli.

“It was actually really impressive, I didn’t see that one coming,” stable representative Leigh Allen said post-race.

“Over the mile, he’s definitely going to get further but it was a very positive debut. Janice (McKenna) is obviously in him, along with Ciaron as well, Ciaron’s got a fair chunk of him.

“Well done to the Ballarat team, Nikki (White) has done all the work here, so a shout out to them.”

It was McKenna’s wife Janice who bred Half Yours, with Maher also taking a 50 per cent share in the horse until he was sold in November 2024 for $305,000 via Inglis Digital.

St Jean, who stood at Victoria’s Brackley Park, died last month as the result of a paddock accident.