A stakes-winner
at three, Godolphin's smart Benfica gelding Eusebio had too much class over his
rivals when resuming from a spell at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Tuned up with two recent barrier trial wins in Sydney for James Cummings,
Eusebio was allowed to settle in the early stages of the 1200 metre sprint by
Dwayne Dunn, but unwound a big finish under his 60.5kg to score a short half
head win over the favourite Artie Dee Two.
Eusebio won the Listed Canberra Guineas last year to become the first
stakes-winner for Aquis Farm's Benfica, a Group I winning son of Lonhro.
He has the overall record of four wins and three placings from 10 starts with
prizemoney just shy of $180,000.
Eusebio is a half-brother to Group II winner Deferential and is the fourth
winner for Quest for Fame (GB) mare Talent Time, who died in 2015.
He is the best horse to date sired by Benfica, who has been well received at
Aquis Farm in Queensland covering over 120 mares in his first two seasons and
stands at a fee of $4,400 this spring.