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Leading trainer Ciaron Maher will take time from his busy autumn schedule to attend Friday’s launch of the 2019 Albury Gold Cup Carnival.

Maher will be the guest speaker at the traditional luncheon that launches the rich carnival at Albury’s Commercial Club, major sponsor of the Albury Gold Cup.

Maher, 37, has established himself as a rare talent in Australian racing. He shot to fame in 2007 when won his first Group One race with Tears I Cry in the Emirates Stakes at Flemington.

He has since won another 10 majors including the Caulfield Cup, BMW, VRC Oaks twice, Stradbroke Handicap and Thousand Guineas with noted stars Jameka, Aloisia, Set Square and Srikandi.

Merchant Navy, Azkadellia and Bon Aurum are among his other big race winners. He is also respected as one of the leading jumps trainers in Australia with three Grand National Steeplechases and four Warrnambool Grand Annuals on his record.

He is now training one of the biggest racing teams in Australia in partnership with David Eustace with stables and training facilities at Caulfield, Pakenham, Ballarat and Balnarring in Victoria and Warwick Farm in Sydney.

Maher and Eustace recently purchased the former Forrest Lodge property of banned trainer Darren Weir at Ballarat, adding another 100 horses to their numbers.

“I’m looking forward to visiting Albury as the guest speaker at the launch of the Commercial Club Albury Gold Cup Carnival and talking about my experiences in racing,” said Maher. “Albury is an important racing centre and I plan to have starters at the carnival later this month.”

The 2019 Commercial Club Albury Gold Cup Carnival has reverted to its traditional format of two meetings on successive days on Thursday March 21 and Friday March 22.

More than $670,000 prizemoney will be offered over the two days featuring the $180,000 Listed Commercial Club Albury Gold Cup (2000m), $80,000 Jayco Albury Guineas (1400m), $50,000 Flat Knacker (900m); $50,000 Baxters Concrete City Handicap (1175m); $40,000 Barlens Albury Mile (1600m) and the $40,000 Adrian Ledger Memorial (2400m).