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Maher and Eustace aim three-year-olds at Derby day

3 minute read

Training partners Ciaron Maher and David Eustace having succeeded in one of the spring features now turn their attention to one of Australia’s biggest race days, the opening day of the Flemington carnival.

The Derby day meeting at Flemington on Saturday features four Group 1 races, half of the eight Group 1 features contested over the four-day fixture at Flemington. 

David Eustace & Ciaron Maher.
David Eustace & Ciaron Maher. Picture: Inglis

Having won the $5 million Group 1 Cox Plate at The Valley on Saturday with Sir Dragonet , Maher and Eustace are expected to saddle leading chances in two of the three-year-old Group 1 races on Saturday that carry a combined prize money pool of $3.5 million. 

Maher and Eustace are likely to have Anders and Muntaseera contest the $1.5 million Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) while Let's Karaka Deel  is set to run in the $2 million Victoria Derby (2500m). 

The trainers are chasing their first wins in either race, although Eustace had an association with Merchant Navy when that colt won the Coolmore Stud Stakes in 2017. 

ANDERS winning the Tab San Domenico Stakes
ANDERS winning the Tab San Domenico Stakes Picture: Racing and Sports

Merchant Navy was trained by Aaron Purcell, having taken over the colt's training following Maher's suspension over the Azkadellia saga while Eustace was an assistant trainer at that stage. 

The pair galloped on Saturday and a track gallop at Sandown on Tuesday will determine whether Anders takes his spot. 

Anders had been explosive in two wins in Sydney to start his spring campaign, but an elevated temperature forced him to miss the Group 1 Moir Stakes at The Valley last month. 

He recovered to run in the Group 3 Blue Sapphire Stakes at Caulfield on October 14, finishing third, in the three-horse field, and pulled up with heat stress. 

"I'll just have to see with Anders and make sure that he gallops well and everything is tickety boo," Maher said. 

"Then he can line up as well." 

Maher said Muntaseera was ticking over nicely this campaign. 

She returned to win first-up at Caulfield last month before running second to Swats That in the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on October 10. 

"I think Muntaseera is spot on, she's going in fresh," he said. 

After winning a Swan Hill maiden over 1600m, Let's Karaka Deel was an unlucky 11th over 1800m at Flemington last month before a narrow second to fellow Derby aspirant Albarado in the Caulfield Classic on October 17. 

"He seems pretty good," Maher said. 

"He's a raw type of three-year-old. He's quite scopey and doesn't carry a lot. 

"He'll be ok." 


Racing and Sports

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