Ciaron Maher and David Eustace will have a three-pronged attack as they chase their first win in the Australian Cup at Flemington.
Right You Are, Steinem and Smokin’ Romans are set to contest the Group 1 2000m race on Saturday for Australia’s leading stable.
Maher and Eustace currently head the trainer’s table Australia from Chris Waller and Tony Gollan.
Right Your Are will be attempting a sixth consecutive win when he steps out for only the second time in a stakes race and his first in Group 1 company.
His only start at stakes level previously was when taking out the Listed Victoria Cup (2100m) at Sandown on February 25.
Right You Are had his first outing for Maher and Eustace last September and Saturday’s outing will be his 10th run for the campaign.
“He’s had a super prep,” Maher said.
“I never thought at the start of the prep that he would be lining up in an Australian Cup.
“A couple of times when he hit the front early in the prep, he had a bit of a look around and it looked like he could throw a race away, but last start he had to knuckle down and he’s turned it around.
“He’s grown in confidence and it’s the right time to take on a good race.
“He’s got a super record and the owners have been rewarded for their patience.”
Maher said Steinum would take plenty of benefit from her win in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Sandown on February 25.
That was her first outing following a two-run campaign in Perth back in December.
“She’s in great order and up to the 2000 (metres) will be ideal,” Maher said.
“She’s run well at Flemington and she will take a lot of improvement out of her last start even though she had a bit of residual fitness from her Perth campaign.
Smokin’ Romans, a Group 1 winner of the Turnbull Stakes over Saturday’s course and distance in the spring, is set for a gear change.
Maher said blinkers will be added to his race day gear following his two performances this campaign where Smokin’ Romans has finished eighth on both occasions, the latest behind Nonconformist in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on March 4.
“I thought he had been a bit casual in his past couple, so I’ve put the shades on him,” Maher said.
“He worked well (on Monday) so he’ll have the shades on.”
