Co-trainer David Eustace has a lot of time for Through Irish Eyes who he says will relish the 2800m of the Listed VRC St Leger.
Under a different set of circumstances, David Eustace believes last start runner-up Through Irish Eyes would be entering the Listed VRC St Leger at Flemington as a last start winner.
Eustace, who trains in partnership with Ciaron Maher, said if Through Irish Eyes’ last start at Caulfield had been run at Flemington, he was confident of turning the tables on Liqueuro.
The pair was to meet on in the 2800m VRC St Leger on Sunday, but Liqueuro was not among the 10 three-year-olds that accepted for the race on Thursday.
“I thought if the race at Caulfield was run at Flemington it would have suited him better and he could have got there,” Eustace told RSN.
“One thing we know, he will stay, and I think he will improve going to Flemington on a bigger track.
“He’s lightly-raced and continues to progress and I think he’s a pretty good horse.
“Next year he will be a smart horse when given the chance to strengthen up a bit and I think he will have a bit more of a turn of foot when he gets a little bit more of an idea of what he’s doing.”
Eustace said Through Irish Eyes may press on to other Classics interstate following his Flemington outing.
Through Irish Eyes could join Australian Derby winner Explosive Jack, Let’s Karaka Deel and Ellmaknifico in the South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville on May 8 while there was the possibility of a trip north for the Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on May 29.
“We’ve got quite a strong hand in the South Australian Derby,” Eustace said.
“If he came through the St Leger well, coming back to 2500 (metres) is not going to be an issue, but whether we give him a chance to get up to Queensland and skip Adelaide, we can work that out.
“We would like to run him in one, if not both.”
