As a team, Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, are yet to win the Listed VRC-CRV Winter Championship Final at Flemington.
Maher won the race in 2014 with Akavoroun, but since joining forces in 2018 it has not been a race that the stable has always targeted.
That changes this year when they saddle three runners – Charterhouse, Junipal and Unusual Culture – in the Listed race that has $200,000 in prize money up for grabs.
Import Charterhouse made his Australian debut when third behind King Magnus at Flemington on June 3 after coming from last on the home turn.
Assistant trainer Jack Turnbull, who oversees the Cranbourne operation for Maher and Eustace, said Charterhouse had trained on well following his Flemington outing.
“He had a nice gallop last week and did a maintenance piece on Tuesday,” Turnbull said.
“He’s tightened up naturally. He’s been a pretty straight forward horse, but physically he’s made improvement and his first-up run was impressive.
“The mile should suit him and the ground, and with the weather that we’ve been having, that shouldn’t be against him either.”
Junipal had been ‘unofficially’ retired 12 months ago after losing his zest for racing.
He was sent to the property of co-owner Lachie McKenzie and after a couple of months recuperating, Junipal regained his youthful zest.
Junipal ran well, finishing less than a length behind his stablemate Charterhouse at his first run back.
“His first-up run was fantastic, and he’s trained on great,” Turnbull said.
Unusual Culture has been a find this campaign registering four wins and earned a start in Saturday’s race with victory over 1620m at Flemington on June 17.
“We were happy with her recovery, and she has had an easy time since,” Turnbull said.
“She did a piece of work on the bridle during the week.
“She’s deep into her prep but there is nothing to say that she is at the end of it.
“Her weight is spot on and mentally she is in good order.”
