Written by Richard Edmunds
The stable of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace could move into uncharted territory next month with a potential trans-Tasman tilt at the G1 Auckland Cup at Ellerslie.
Maher has never had a runner in New Zealand, either in a solo capacity or in partnership with Eustace.
That could be about to change, with both Azuro (Fr) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) and Yogi (NZ) (Raise the Flag {GB}) possibly pointing towards the $500,000 Auckland Cup on March 7.
Azuro (Fr)
“It depends a little bit on what the ground is like,” Eustace told TDN Aus NZ. “Both horses have been trained for that weekend. It’s the same weekend as the Adelaide Cup, which isn’t ideal programming and possibly should be looked at.
“But I would say that Azuro is likely to head over for the Auckland Cup, and Yogi will be there too if the ground is reasonably soft. He might be an unlikely runner if it’s a firm track.
“They’ve both been working very well and would be good chances in the race.”
“They’ve both been working very well and would be good chances in the race.” - David Eustace
Azuro is prominent in early betting markets for the Auckland Cup and has performed impressively over the 3200 metre distance.
The 6-year-old has won three of his four starts over two miles. After finishing second to Yogi in the Listed Sandown Cup in November of 2018, he has won all of his three subsequent attempts over the distance – the Stayers’ Cup at Rosehill, the Listed Queensland Cup and this year’s edition of the Sandown Cup.
“He’s got a great record over two miles and stays very well,” Eustace said. “The Auckland Cup looks like it would be an ideal race for him.
“He finished only seventh in the Australia Day Cup last start, but Tommy (Berry) would probably say it wasn’t one of his best rides. He tried to make something happen mid-race, and it just didn’t work out. These things happen. But he’s come through that run in very good order.”
Azuro carries the colours of OTI Racing, which have already featured in a Group 1 success at Ellerslie with 2018 New Zealand Derby winner Vin De Dance (NZ) (Roc De Cambes {NZ}).
Yogi (yellow cap)
An Auckland Cup trip would be something of a homecoming for Yogi, who was bred by Hazel and David Voice in Canterbury in New Zealand’s South Island. He cost just $1000 at the 2014 New Zealand Bloodstock South Island Sale.
Yogi has won eight of his 35 starts and more than $650,000 in stakes, headed by Listed victories in the Sandown Cup and Port Adelaide Cup.
A decision on Auckland Cup jockeys for the pair will be made closer to the time.
Moroney eyes Cup with Sound
Another potential trans-Tasman raider in the Auckland Cup is the Mike Moroney-trained Sound (Ger) (Lando {Ger}).
The winner of seven races up to Group 2 level in Germany, Sound has had 11 starts in Australia with a number of close up finishes including a fourth in the G1 Tancred S., seventh in the G1 Turnbull S. and 12th, only 3.9l from the winner, in the Melbourne Cup.
The 7-year-old finished fifth over 2000 metres first-up at Caulfield on January 25.
Mike Moroney
“It was a solid run first-up,” Moroney said. “He’ll have one more run at Moonee Valley, and then as long as we’re happy with him, he’ll head over to New Zealand.”
Sound will be transferred into the Matamata stable of Moroney’s New Zealand co-trainer Pam Gerard in the lead-up to the Auckland Cup.
Moroney did the same thing last year with his accomplished stayer Vengeur Masque (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}), who struck an unsuitable wet track in the Auckland Cup and finished a gallant fifth behind Glory Days (NZ) (Red Giant {USA}). That pair had a rematch in the Sydney Cup the following month, with Vengeur Masque second and Glory Days third.
