The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable are keeping their options open with impressive last start Flemington winner Heart Of Puissance.
A soft three-and-a-quarter length winner over 2500m at his last start on May 22, Heart Of Puissance was expected to back-up at Flemington on Saturday in a heat of the Banjo Paterson Series (2500m) which carries a 2600m final at Flemington on July 3.
However, Heart Of Puissance may be sent to Sydney on Saturday to run over 2400m instead, or even be held over an extra week and be Brisbane bound.
“Heart Of Puissance will either run at Flemington or in Sydney in the (Listed) Winter Cup, but that will be weather dependent,” Eustace said.
“Or, he could be held back a week for the Brisbane Cup (3200m). It looks very fine and dry there.”
With or without Heart Of Puissance in Saturday’s 2500m contest at Flemington, the Maher and Eustace stable is still likely to have strong representation.
Grand Promenade, who split Realm Of Flowers and Miami Bound in the Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) at Flemington on May 15, will be joined by South Pacific, fourth behind Le Don De Vie in the Listed Warrnambool Cup (2350m) on May 6.
“Grand Promenade came through the Ramsden well,” Eustace said.
“He ran a great race. In a weight-for-age race he ran ahead of some horses rated 100-odd and he’s rated 87, so on that he’s run a big race.
“South Pacific is quite ground dependent.
“He would want to be on a Soft5 or below, but he’s in really good form.
“It was a good run at Warrnambool but he just got knocked over by Heart Of Puissance, but he’s in good nick.”
