Winning Horse: Heberite (Nz)

7yoG Raise The Flag (GB) - Arurite (NZ)(Rua Rukuna (NZ))

24 starts - 5 wins 1 third 1 fourth $47721

Other Wins

1st Oamaru Taplin Racing (Bm65) 2200m (2021)

1st Wingatui Tlc Tiling (Bm65) 2200m (2020)

1st Oamaru Oamaru Scaffolding Ltd (Bm65) 1600m (2018)

1st Omakau Ws Hickey And Sons Mdn 1400m (2018)

Other Placings

3rd Ascot Park Ascot Sports Bar (Bm74) 2215m (2020)

Race Result:

1st: Heberite (Ciaron Maher and David Eustace/Willie McCarthy) - $6

2nd: Mont Agel (Patrick Ryan Jnr/Aaron Lynch) - $26
3rd: Zedstar (Brett Scott/Will Gordon) - $9

Winning Time: 4:02.11 Last 600m: N/A

Margins: 3/4L x 3/4L

Winning Trainer: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace (Declan Maher speaking)

How good was that win: “It was great. Got all the strappers here watching it and it’s fantastic. Willie (McCarthy) has come over from America. He does a lot of work at the stables riding out every morning.

“He schooled up this horse one Saturday morning when Ciaron was here.

“We got him (the horse) over from New Zealand. A shout out to Wayne Stewart again. He found the horse and also to the owners, Rod Lyons, the Keans and all of them over there. It’s fantastic. He’s a nice stayer.”

On Willie McCarthy: “He’s very strong in the finish and that goes with his experience. They don’t hand you those winners and he’s ridden over 200 winners around the world. He’s a class rider and it just goes to show there.”

Famous silks: “It’s good for the owners. They’ve got Ablaze and he’s obviously sustained a leg injury. For them to quickly have another one here, a promising horse going forward, is great.”

Over the bigger jumps: “I reckon he might. The family has a few good jumpers in it. He doesn’t have a big turn of foot but he’s got a lovely action and really enjoys his jumping. He’s a promising horse going forward and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s not at Warrnambool next year.”

Winning Jockey: Willie McCarthy

Had to lift the horse: “That was a very nice performance from a first time starter. He jumped very good. He was pretty unchallenged in front and he stayed very well. He had to give me a big one there at the last when I needed it, but he was brave and he found the right stride there at the last and kept finding all the way to the line for me.

“It’s a great team effort by Ciaron and Dave and especially Declan. He’s the man behind the scenes and stays out of the limelight, but he does a hell of a lot with these jumpers and it’s a pleasure to be around him.”

Last three or four months: “You couldn’t write in a book. This time last year I was down and out, a depressed man, no good to nobody. I contacted Ciaron Maher foir a job and he told me to find my way out here.

“Twelve months later you couldn’t write the script. I can’t believe it. I’m truly blessed.”

Unsure of future: “I’m doing a light weight today and you’re catching me at a sensitive time.

“I’d love to get back here next year. The Australian Jumps Racing Association has asked me to come back for a couple of seasons to race here.

“I’ll try that, if they can do it, but if that can’t happen because of the pandemic, I’ll leave here in October and if I can’t get back here, I won’t race in the US again and that could be it if I can’t get back here.

“I won’t be racing anymore.”