Lightly raced UK import Chorlton Lane will kick off his Australian career at Rosehill
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace are among the more innovative trainers in the country, ever looking for another edge to strengthen and grow their team.
Given the success and subsequent soaring costs of buying and importing proven European horses to Australia, the pair have enlisted the help of a few veritable ‘spies’ in the UK to keep a close watch on the local racing, their aim to identify promising but untapped talents for the Australian market.
Chorlton Lane is one such horse and the three-year-old will make his stable debut in Saturday’s Kia Ora Farnan Handicap (1300m) at Rosehill.
“We’ve got people on the ground there to help out,” David Eustace said of their European network.
“This horse’s performances up until this point have been good and we’re looking for horses that seem progressive and have potential.”
Chorlton Lane started in the market at his only two starts, victorious on debut at Newbury in September and runner-up at his only other appearance at Kempton Park.
He hasn’t had an official trial but has been prepared for his Sydney return with a couple of jump outs.
Eustace believes the horse has a good future but admits they will learn more once they see him under local race conditions.
“He is a nice horse. He’s had jump-outs and we’re expecting him to kick off and run a nice race,” he said.
“He’s a really nice, straightforward horse and he’s got a lovely attitude which is a big plus.
“We’ll learn an awful lot about him this weekend.”
Stablemate Baroque Road lines up in the same race and has undergone two gear changes with the trainers removing his nose roll and fitting him with winkers.
After resuming with a Warwick Farm placing over 1100m in May, he was beaten less than a length when fourth to Bunker Hut over 1300m last start and Eustace expects him to strip much fitter for the recent racing.
“He’s a nice horse who came across to us with some potential. I think he’s ready to go,” Eustace said.
Four-time winner Semana has been scratched from the race and will instead contest The Agency Real Estate Handicap (1400m) where Eustace says the slightly longer journey will be to her advantage.
“That’s bang on her trip, so we were keen to go to the seven (furlongs) with her, but obviously fillies and mares only is a plus too,” Eustace said.
“She’s been a model of consistency and hopefully that can continue.”
The trio will be part of a seven-strong team for Maher and Eustace at Rosehill.
