Maurice’s lively Spring continues
Murshidi's Geelong Classic LR is the 6th stakes win by Maurice's progeny in the first 12 weeks of the 2025/26 season. (PHOTO: Darren Tindale)
Maurice posted his third new 3YO stakeswinner in 5 weeks when Murshidi won the battle for the $200,000 Geelong Classic 2200m LR, defeating Icy You and Dundeel’s son True Tone.
Murshidi follows Group 2 winner & Thousand Guineas G1 runner-up Icelady and last Saturday’s Listed winner Kosaji onto Maurice’s black type record, which now numbers 38 stakeswinners. All three are Arrowfield graduates, offered at the Inglis Premier & Easter Sales.
It was the gelding’s first win from five starts for trainer Ciaron Maher, who bred him with John O’Neill and, after he was passed in at Inglis Easter, now races him with Maurice Regan of Newtown Anner Stud, co-owner of last year’s Caulfield Cup winner Duke De Sessa.
Geelong Classic | Murshidi Murshidi is off to the Derby and gives @blake_shinn his 2nd victory in the race 💪🏻 @cmaherracing 📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app REPLAYS: https://t.co/HEhdpozFmy https://t.co/THZ43Zagbf
— Racing.com (@Racing) October 21, 2026
Jockey Blake Shinn said, “He had a good run and presented nicely and when the chips were down and he had to show a bit of intestinal fortitude, he did, so it was a good effort to win.
“Last year I rode Arcora in this race and he was a little bit unlucky and then went on to run second in the [VRC] Derby and this horse has won today. I think he’ll run the trip and he has some talent so he’s worthy of taking there and he will run well.”
Maurice now has a full hand of strong prospects for upcoming features: Group 1-placed Cormier in the Spring Champion S. G1, Cosmic Crusader in the Cox Plate G1 and Mazu in the McEwen S. G2 this Saturday; Murshidi, Kosaji, Group-placed Vallice and possibly Cormier heading to the Victoria Derby G1; and Your Colour, second favourite for the VRC Oaks G1.
And a grateful hat-tip to Domeland’s resolute warrior Matcha Latte, who retired last week with 4 wins, 8 Group placings – two this season – and $1.4 million prizemoney on his record.
With 5 winners of six Australian Group & Listed Races and $3.9 million progeny earnings already on the board, Maurice has made a Mazu-like sprint start to 2026/27 and is ready to launch a Hitotsu-style sustained, high-octane run over the next six weeks of Australia’s premier Spring racing.
