Trainer proud of Dubious efforts
IT’S full steam ahead towards the Golden Slipper Stakes for Magic Millions runner-up Dubious, and co-trainer David Eustace believes he has enough improvement to win that race.
“We were proud of his effort. We couldn’t have asked for anything more from him. He really stuck his neck out but was beaten by a very good filly and full credit to James Cummings and his team,” Eustace said.
“I’m not worried about taking on Exhilarates again. There was very little between them and he’s got plenty of improvement in him.
“We’re not shying anyway from her or anyone else in terms of the Golden Slipper.
“It was a great result. Apart from losing we couldn’t have been happier.”
Eustace pointed out that Dubious was only having his third start compared to the winner Exhilarates who had her fifth start.
“If you were searching for an excuse he was a half a length slow at the jump and he was also pinned against the rails. He had a good run on the fence but he kicked clear but was run down by a superior Group 1 horse.”
Dubious dashed clear at the 200m mark and looked set for victory but was overhauled by Exhilarates.
Eustace said Dubious would spend a week or two in the paddock and have one lead-in run before the Golden Slipper Stakes on March 23.
Eustace described Saturday as a red-letter day for the stable.
“We saddled up four starters in three different states and we’ve come away with a win at Flemington and Randwick and a second in the Magic Millions,” he said.
They had two starters at Flemington and won with Bold Arial and finished second with Naantali. At Randwick they won with Star Falls.
“That’s a real vote of confidence for our team and our systems,” Eustace added.
“It’s a great start for our new Sydney stable.”
His co-trainer Ciaron Maher was also one of the most prolific buyers at the Magic Millions Yearling Sales, spending $4.5 million.