San Huberto has broken through for his maiden Australian win proving the toughest stayer on a hot Melbourne day at Flemington.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained galloper made up for the disappointment of a winless day at Moonee Valley on Saturday when the stable had a number of short-priced runners by taking out the Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m) on Sunday.
After spending Christmas in the UK with family, Eustace returned to Melbourne on New Year’s Eve to watch what was a character-building day for the stable at Moonee Valley.
“I got off the plane and watched all the replays in the cab and it showed Lucy (Yeomans), Jack (Turnbull) and the boss (Maher) had one of those character-building days,” Eustace said.
“But they largely ran well. They didn’t run poorly they just didn’t have a lot of luck.
“We got one at Warrnambool, but it’s good to get this one today.”
Ridden by Ethan Brown, San Huberto ($7.50 at neds.com.au) scored a widening four-length win over Nobel Heights ($5.50) with Sound ($9.50) a length away third.
San Huberto was having his second start for Maher and Eustace having previously been prepared by Matt Cumani, trainer of the runner-up Nobel Heights.
An Irish-bred stayer, San Huberto came to Australia for the Spring Carnival in 2020 and ran third in the Sandown Cup (3200m) and second in the Mornington Cup Prelude among eight runs for Cumani.
Eustace said after San Huberto finished fourth in the Sandown Cup in his first run for their stable, blinkers and a tongue tie were added to the stayer’s gear.
“The blinkers and the tongue tie have given him a bit of focus,” Eustace said.
“Lucy and the team at Cranbourne have done a great job with him. They have been working very hard over the festive season with all the racing.
“Hopefully now this horse can build a bit of confidence and get another win.”
Eustace said the Group 2 Adelaide Cup (3200m) at Morphettville in March may be a suitable longer-term target for the seven-year-old.
“He probably runs in the Torney Night Cup at Moonee Valley as a warm-up, but you would think the Adelaide Cup would be perfect for him,” Eustace said.