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Eustace hopeful of big showing from Maurice colt in Group 1

Co-trainer David Eustace is confident Port Louis (Maurice) can run a good race when he takes a major step up in grade and attempts to shed his maiden status in the Champagne Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) at Randwick on Saturday. 

The two-year-old colt finished third over 1100 metres on debut at Randwick Kensington on March 25 and was last seen running second behind Billiondollarbaby (I Am Invincible) over 1200 metres at Canterbury and Eustace believes that form should stack up on Saturday. 

"I wouldn't say we had a massive opinion of him, but we've raised the bar and to be fair to him, he's raised with it," he told RSN927.

"The race looks to be falling away and I think he was beaten by a smart one in Sydney the other day. I thought she was pretty impressive.

"He's just continued to improve with a bit of racing and stretching him out further to the mile, we really think will suit too.

"He had a really strong gallop on Saturday and did a bit of work yesterday morning and Ciaron (Maher) has been very happy with him, so he'll take his chance."