“Chris runs a pretty slick operation, and it’s not something you sort of worry about or can control, a premiership,” Maher said. “It’s more making sure your staff are engaged, the culture is right and you are getting those one-percenters, which in turn lead to winners.

“When you are running business like Chris’ and ours, that sort of thing [premiership] takes care of itself.”

Heading into the final Saturday of the season, Maher is looking to Hi Dubai and Sacred Rocks to push their claims for a shot at early season stakes races.

Sacred Rocks was a $2.35 Sportsbet favourite in the seventh, a 1300m benchmark 78 handicap, after a first then second in similar races at Rosehill. The four-year-old mare started the campaign with victory at Sale and has finished top-two in all six career starts.

The two-kilogram claim of apprentice Anna Roper means Sacred Rocks carries a kilogram less than her most recent start, but she again has a wide draw.

“I’m rapt with that horse,” Maher said. “It’s drawn awkward again, but I think it should get through its grades a little bit more. It wouldn’t surprise me if it got a bit of black-type at some stage. We might try to pinch something early in the spring, while it’s got a bit of fitness.”

Lugh ($13), with Tommy Berry aboard from gate seven, is also in the race. He was fourth at Randwick last start when first-up.

“This off-season type of race is where it’s at and with the right run, it will be thereabouts,” Maher said.

He has also used the claim of Roper with Hi Dubai, a $9.50 chance in the eighth, a benchmark 88 handicap over 1100m. The five-year-old was a last-start winner at Rosehill.

“It did a good job to win the other day,” he said. “It was under siege and it’s got a bit of determination that horse. It has a crack. She would be one you would try to pinch a bit of black type with as well.”

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His other runners are Nana’s Wish ($9) and Piggyback ($7) in the sixth, a benchmark 78 for fillies and mares over 1800m.

“Nana’s Wish is in at Doomben as well and either race would suit. It’s drawn well in both,” he said. “She’s going well, and she’s very honest and thrives off a bit of moisture. Piggyback has been a little bit unlucky. I think the trip is ideal and she’s never far away.”

Maher, meanwhile, said Everest-bound Jimmysstar, based at Bobs Farm, was set to trial next week. He said Light Infantry Man, Another Wil and Gringotts, which all trialled at Gosford on Wednesday, could resume in the group 1 Winx Stakes at Randwick on August 23.