3 minute read

Looking at the formguide it would be easy to dismiss the Adelaide performances of two-year-olds Saasmit and Gulf Of Suez in their respective heats of the Blue Diamond Previews, but co-trainer David Eustace says to do so will be at your peril.

Saasmit , a winner of her only start, runs in the fillies division at Caulfield on Tuesday with Gulf Of Suez , unbeaten in two runs in Adelaide, contesting the colts and geldings division. 

Eustace , who trains in partnership with Ciaron Maher, estimates the team has 100 two-year-olds on their books and placing the horses to advantage is part of the skill. 

"There's not a lot of two-year-old racing and when you've got plenty of them, you have to split them up.," Eustace said. 

"We try and do that the best we can." 

Saasmit strolled to a three-length win at Murray Bridge on January 9 at her only start and Eustace said the filly deserves to take her chance in Tuesday's race. 

"These fillies, once they get a city win, it's all about gaining black type," Eustace said. 

"We think she's professional enough and I'm sure there's plenty of others in the field trying to do the same thing as well, but she deserves to line up. 

"We think a lot of her sire Shalaa. 

"We think they are going to keep improving with age. She's doing what she is now on a bit of raw ability and hopefully she can keep improving." 

Gulf Of Suez won both his starts at Morphettville last November, the second of those by just shy of six lengths. 

"He is not just an Adelaide horse, he is quite a good horse," Eustace said. 

"He's done everything very impressively and has a really great attitude and I think he'll run a really good race. 

"Those trips to Adelaide toughened him up and I think it helps he's a gelding, but he's always been very straight forward, handles any ground. 

"He'll be fine on a firm track but funnily enough if we got a wet track we'll be pleased because he can go through that. 

"He's just a solid, hardy horse." 

Despite the hot weather on Sunday and Monday in Melbourne with a predicted top of 40c on Monday, rain is forecast for Tuesday and a top temperature of 24c. 

Up to 15mm could fall at Caulfield on Tuesday which could see the Heart Of Puissance line up in the Neds Same Race Multi Handicap (1400m) after he was scratched from Sandown on Saturday. 

The track was upgraded during the day and Eustace feared the track may have got even firmer after walking the track and speaking to several jockeys. 

"We've waited a long time to get him back to the track so hopefully the rain comes for Tuesday at Caulfield," Eustace said.