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It’s a rare WA visit from the powerful co-training partnership of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, but they’re confident they have the right horse to make an impact at Ascot on Saturday.
Fresh from winning the Melbourne Cup with Gold Trip in November, Maher and Eustace will look to add to their G1 haul when Steinem tackles the Drummond Golf-Northerly Stakes (1800m).
One of Australia's leading stables, Maher and Eustace are back in Perth for just the second time after Dubious ran sixth to Hey Doc in the Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) three years ago.
Maher and Eustace can continue the eastern states flavour of the Ascot Pinnacles carnival after James Cummings and his Godolphin operation prepared Paulele to win last weekend's Winterbottom Stakes.
They return with proven weight-for-age performer, Cascadian, to be ridden by ace jockey, James McDonald and the current $3 favourite, shading boom Perth filly, Amelia's Jewel ($3.10).
A daughter of Frankel, the Northerly Stakes became a target race for Maher and Eustace after Steinem finished two lengths second to Atishu in the G2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m) at Flemington in November.
It was the best run of Steinem's preparation after she was unplaced on rain-affected ground in the Let's Elope (1400m) at Flemington and the Tesio Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley.
Maher said Steinem was progressing to a feature race win and believed racing on Ascot's firm ground would be an added bonus in her bid for maiden black-type status.
"I'm looking forward to it," Maher told The Races WA.
"She'll appreciate the hard going.
"Her last run in the Matriarch was a good effort and it suggested we pushed on with her.
"That was the confidence we needed to send her to Perth.
"I think she is building towards a strong performance.
"She'll be the fresh horse on the scene."
The Northerly Stakes has been reduced to a field of 15 following the scratching of Last Of The Line.
Steinman will jump from barrier three with John Allen to ride.
Allen was aboard Gailo Chop in the 2019 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) when the gelding ran second after being overhauled in front by Kay Cee.
Steinem is rated a $16 hope with TABtouch.
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