Drive through the gates of Ciaron Maher’s Bong Bong Farm near Moss Vale and it’s like you have been transported to the grand stables of Kentucky or Newmarket.
The quiet precision of morning work happens around the training complex former owner Paul Fudge spent more than $70 million creating, and Everest contenders Bella Nipotina and I Am Me are just another couple of horses going up the hill on the property’s straight 1000m gallop.
Ciaron Maher with his Everest contenders I Am Me and Bella Nipotina outside the stables at Bong Bong Farm.Credit: Rhett Wyman
They will look to take the major share of $20 million in next Saturday’s Everest, which could see their values soar further into the millions, but they are treated the same as all the others in the morning.
“It’s a good place, isn’t it,” Maher says.
“Paul did a phenomenal job on it.
“When I first came here and saw it, I thought this is going to cost me a fortune with all the hedges to cut.
“But everything is here. The horses love it out here.”
Bella Nipotina goes from the deep sand warm-up track to a path that leads to the uphill gallop. Meanwhile, I Am Me is in the spa after completing her morning work.
Every edge to make a horse that little bit better is available at Bong Bong Farm.
The finishings are all quality, as are the horses.
Maher’s mind turns to his three Everest runners, the other being three-year-old Growing Empire, which he had seen work at dawn at Warwick Farm on Friday morning.
I Am Me beats Everest-bound Bella Nipotina in the Concorde Stakes.Credit: Getty Images
He hasn’t been involved in The Everest before but has a quarter of the field this year.
“I Am Me thrives out here,” Maher says. “She can get on the toe, but this environment is that little bit more relaxing and helps her.
“She can go in the paddock during the day, and there’s all the bells and whistles here as well.
“Treadmills, water walkers, spas – it’s horse heaven.”
Bong Bong has had I Am Me in the right frame of mind and condition to win the Concorde Stakes and The Shorts this spring, which got her into The Everest. She has three raceday decisions over Bella Nipotina, which boasts the better overall record with three group 1 wins.
Bella Nipotina is in recovery mode after running third in the Premiere Stakes last weekend and is a newcomer to the farm.
“She has been up the beach but it is better to have her here leading into The Everest,” Maher said. “She will be in a day yard and just tick over now.
“They are both really fit, so we don’t need to do much more with them.”
Manikato Stakes runner-up Growing Empire has arrived from Melbourne, but he is more used to stable life, so he is at Warwick Farm.
“He has shown he can mix it with his elders already,” Maher says of the colt. “He is just exciting.
“He can improve again and he is sharp.
