Yogi has completed a seamless transition from one to stable to another with a first-up win at Caulfield.
Last year’s Sandown Cup winner for the once all-conquering Darren Weir yard, Yogi was this week transferred to Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.
The switch came after Weir was banned for four years following a raid on his stables last week.
Having his first run since November, Yogi overcame a slow start in Saturday’s The Big Screen Company Handicap (1800m) before powering away to a strong win.
Ridden by Craig Williams, Yogi ($8.50) scored a half-length win from Cool Chap ($7.50) with Magnapal ($26) a length away third.
Long-term Weir client Darren Dance, from Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock, was high in praise for the way Forest Lodge Racing handled the placement of horses after the trainer was issued with a show cause notice on January 31.
“It was a credit to Darren Weir and the rest of the team who were prepared to talk to Ciaron Maher about where he (Yogi) was at and what should happen.
“I can’t thank Forest Lodge enough for what they’ve done and we’re off to a good start with our first ever runner for Ciaron Maher and Dave Eustace.”
Dance said he had been receiving information from Forest Lodge that Yogi was going better than at the same stage last preparation.
He ran second first-up at Caulfield last August and Dance was expecting Saturday’s journey to be ideal.
The Sydney Cup is Yogi’s long-term autumn goal with Dance saying he would like to see the stayer in the Tancred Stakes in the lead-up.
