Extra Brut steps out in Cranbourne trial

Victoria Derby winner Extra Brut has had his first trial for his new stable, Ciaron Maher Racing.

Extra Brut has impressed jockey Michael Walker in a Cranbourne barrier trial in the colt’s first public appearance for the Ciaron Maher Racing stable.

The three-year-old colt is one of a number of well-performed horses who have been transferred from Darren Weir to other trainers in recent days as Weir fights for his career after being charged with offences relating to illegal electronic devices found in his stable.

Extra Brut, who was scratched from last Saturday’s Manfred Stakes at Caulfield, instead contested an 800m-barrier trial on Monday for his new co-trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace and finished fifth with Walker aboard.

Walker is the no.1 rider for Aquis Farm who bought into Extra Brut in the lead-up to his Victoria Derby win in the spring, but Walker is yet to ride the colt in a race.

He was due to ride Extra Brut in a race for the first time in last Saturday’s Manfred Stakes.

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“Extra Brut trialled really nice this morning,” Walker told broadcaster Racing.com after riding one of three winners at the Sale race meeting on Monday.

“He’s an outstanding colt and a very classy colt.

“I know he’s won over a mile-and-a-half. It was only a half-mile (800m) this morning and he really, really impressed me.”

Extra Brut has been nominated for Saturday’s Group Two Autumn Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield but Maher has indicated on Melbourne radio the following week’s C S Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington is his plan.

Extra Brut is then expected to head towards the Group One Australian Guineas (1600m) on March 2 at Flemington.