3 minute read

Ciaron Maher and David Eustace have bookended the Sandown program.

The stable of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace along with Seymour Bloodstock has been rewarded for their patience with a winning double at Sandown. 

Zouthur got the ball rolling on Wednesday with his victory in the IVE>Print Maiden (1200m) while Vermentino remains unbeaten following his win in the Ladbrokes Same Race Multi Handicap (1200m). 

Eustace said Zouthur had appreciated a firmer track when scoring a half-head win after an unplaced finish at Traralgon as a $1.85 favourite on October 29. 

"We've always had a good opinion of him," Eustace said. 

"He had a couple of starts on wet ground which didn't go to plan, so it was good to see him put it altogether today. 

"He travelled well and had the opportunity to quicken and was strong on the line." 

Eustace said the stable thought they could get away with a 'soft kill' by going to Traralgon, but the heavy conditions were against. 

"The team has done a great job to keep him up for a while as we've scratched because of wet tracks and he's a colt that is going to progress," Eustace said. 

"He's growing up mentally and physically and Ben has always had a lot of faith in him as well. 

"Hopefully we can push on further." 

Vermentino is a four-year-old who Eustace said had been plagued by growing pains throughout his career and Wednesday's outing was only his second race start. 

The gelding was successful at Hamilton in December last year at his only other appearance. 

"He was a little fresh early on and then he travelled sweetly and quickened well," Eustace said. 

"He's taken a bit time. He's had a few niggles, but he'll take a lot from that mentally." 

Saint Of Katowice completed a hat-trick for Maher and Eustace by taking out the Ladbrokes Punter Assist Handicap (1400m). 

.@bennallen44 gets the best out of Zouthur today! @cmaherracing pic.twitter.com/4vUfYcfcud

— Racing.com (@Racing) November 23, 2022