Long-awaited Aussie debut for Maher import

The son of Night Of Thunder will step out in the $80,000 National Jockeys Trust Trophy (1600m) at Saturday's Flemington meeting.

A five-year-old by Australian time, he has not started since finishing unplaced over 2414m at Goodwood in England in July 2024 and was an acceptor for the 1400m race won by Botanical Boy at Geelong last week, but was kept for Flemington.

Maher's assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said the team felt the extra 200m of this week's race was more suitable.

"More the distance, being a mile, and the bigger track," Turnbull said of why Flemington won out.

"We drew off the track (at Geelong) and didn't really like the shape of the race.

"An extra gallop goes a long way, he is a bull, and that'll just tighten him up a bit more."

Midnite Storm broke his maiden over 2011m at Redcar at his penultimate European start, which followed five-straight minor placings at distances ranging from 1408m to 2112m.

He had one trial last February at the end of his first Aussie preparation and has had three jump outs this campaign, the latest a third placing over 1200m at Cranbourne on December 22.

"He's a progressive stayer of the future," Turnbull said.

"He's got a pretty in-tact handicap of 66 and I'd imagine he'll be one of those off-season stayers that just goes bang, bang through the handicap system.

"Hopefully we can just try and improve his profile before, potentially, a spring campaign."

Irish jockey Robert Whearty will have his first ride at Flemington aboard Midnite Storm in the National Jockeys Trust Trophy, with the $10 chance to start from barrier seven.