3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes after South Pacific claims the Adam Lindsay Gordon Handicap at Flemington on Saturday.
Race Result:
1st: South Pacific (Maher & Eustace/J Kah) - $2.45F
2nd: Saunter Boy (Maher & Eustace/H Coffey) - $13
3rd: Smokin' Pierro (M Payne/L King) - $20
Winning Time: 2:41.89 Last 600m: 38.38
Margins: 3¾L x 1¾L
Winning Trainer: Ciaron Maher & Dave Eustace (Dave speaking)
"He really deserved that. I'm delighted for the horse. Most importantly, the owners, they've been very patient. Darren Dance put a lot of faith in the stable as has Barry Pang and Alf Gauci. He will start to repay that now.
"He is a thorough stayer and hopefully he gains a lot of confidence from that."
"There's a reason why his runs are so spaced. He's only a lightly framed horse. I think the Flemington Cup 1849 is in four weeks so he could go straight there but if it rains in two weeks (Banjo Patterson) then he'll take his chance.
"Big team effort with this horse. He's been everywhere for different reasons - Ballarat, Caulfield, the beach. Everyone has played their part because he isn't straightforward."
Saunter Boy: "He's flying. It was great to see. He's a legend and a lovely horse. Hopefully there's a big win over the obstacles sometime soon."
Winning Jockey: Jamie Kah
Recent Maher/Eustace staying successes: "They've been quite similar of late and I've been l hitting the front early on some of them and they have tendencies to not be very genuine but when they get it that easy they're just superior to the rest of the field.
"Big thank you to Ciaron and Dave, they've been putting me on some nice horses.
"I thought they were going quite quick but my horse was in such a good rhythm that I didn't want to strangle him or ruin it. I just let him be happy and comfortable and he was the class horse in the race and had a nice run."