Patience in racing is rarely used but for trainers Ciaron Maher and David EustaceĀ it is one of their greatest virtues.
With a large team of horses at their disposal, Maher and Eustace are not rushed in sending their horses to the races, especially two-year-olds.
So,Ā it was with interest to learn thatĀ VeeceeĀ was the stable’s first two-year-old winner of the season when taking out theĀ VRC Summer Fun Sprint (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Ridden by Ethan Brown,Ā VeeceeĀ ($4.60) scored by 2-Ā½ lengthsĀ from Hellish ($5.50) with RhodesianĀ Red ($21) a length away third.
Fresh off a treble at Cranbourne on Friday night, Brown saidĀ VeeceeĀ had been well prepared for Saturday’s debut outing with some solid jump-outs.
“He’s more like a three-year-old to sit on,” Brown said.
“He was in the gates for a long time and was getting a bit anxious, very hot and flustered and was a bit awkward away.
“It was a bit of a bunchedĀ field,Ā and I thought the leaders rolled along a bit which suited us, but full merit to him as we were exposed the wholeĀ race,Ā but we were able to roll into itĀ at our leisure and gee he was strong late.”
Brown said even thoughĀ VeeceeĀ wasĀ well-prepared for Saturday’s race, he said the son of Capitalist would derive benefit from the outing.
He added the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield next monthĀ could be a tempting.
“I can’t see why not if they want to go that wayĀ as heĀ has all the right attributes,” Brown said.
“He’s going to improve from today’s outing, so it should be onwards and upwards.
“He’s not really a turn of foot horse. He was suited by the tempo and was able to build on that, but if he was smothered up, he’s not a horse that will let rip, but once into his stride, he really found the line.”
