Ciaron Maher and David Eustace have won another feature three-year-old staying race with Through Irish Eyes taking out the Listed VRC St Leger at Flemington.
Through Irish Eyes has relished the open spaces of Flemington with a strong staying performance to claim the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) at Flemington.
Defeated at Caulfield by Liqueuro at his previous start, co-trainer David Eustace was confident had that race been at Flemington the result would have been reversed.
There was no Liqueuro in Sunday’s 2800m contest and on the bigger Flemington circuit Through Irish Eyes was able to settle closer to the speed which was controlled by stablemate Silcon Valley.
With Mark Zahra in the saddle, Through Irish Eyes ($3.20) took the lead on straightening, racing to victory by a length from Salto Angel ($6) with the $3 favourite Favreau a head away third.
Eustace, who trains the three-year-old in partnership with Ciaron Maher, said either the South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville on May 8 or the Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm three weeks later was appealing.
But, as a three-year-old Through Irish Eyes is eligible for the Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) at Flemington on May 15 which provides the victor a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup at Flemington in November.
“That is something that had not crossed our mind but it might be worth considering,” Eustace said.
“He’s just a really, really nice staying horse. He’s still learning his craft, he had a proper wander around when he hit the front, but when the penny drops, he is going to continue to progress with racing.
“He is a big dummy, but he’s had a pretty tough life.
“As a young horse he had colic, so he’s lucky to be alive and racing.”
Zahra said if something had challenged Through Irish Eyes in the straight, the gelding would have responded.
And the jockey noted there was improvement every time the three-year-old steps out.
“I got to the front a long way out and I think you’ve seen that he didn’t know whether he wanted to run into the mounting yard or to the line,” Zahra said.
Danny O’Brien, trainer of the runner-up Salto Angel, said the filly could join stablemate Miami Bound as a contender in the Andrew Ramsden Stakes.
