Maiden city double for young Cranbourne trainer

Brad Waters - Wednesday July 26

Young trainers always need a smart horse to get them going and Cranbourne-based Nathan McPherson might have found one in the form of Sandown winner Eurack.

Photo: Darryl Sherer

McPherson spent more than two years away from racing before resuming training last spring but produced Eurack for a debut win at Bendigo on July 7.

Eurack was a 3-1/2 length winner in heavy ground on debut but easily handled the transition to city racing with an equally dominant 4-1/4 length win in the Comcater Handicap (1000m).

Jockey Ben Melham parked Eurack ($5 fav) behind the speed to the home turn before the daughter of Oneworld ended the $35,000 race as a contest with smart acceleration at the 400 metre mark, drawing away to score easily.

The Frankie Stockdale-trained Eminent Son ($12) was second ahead the $6.50 chance Accelerato, who was also a maiden winner at the Bendigo meeting.

Eurack completed a double for McPherson after Hunting Hill ($9) claimed the Hamilton Reid Chartered Accountants Handicap (1300m), also with Melham aboard.

McPherson told Racing Victoria he was chatting about the possibility of a maiden city double on Tuesday evening.

"Like I said last night when I was talking to a few of the boys around the fire at the stables when we were finishing up, I've had some big moments in my life good and bad, but this could be the biggest hour in my life," McPherson said.

"All the boys, my girlfriend, everyone's here today and for Ben (Melham) to be on both of those horses, I couldn't have asked for a better script to be written."

Hunting Hill defeated the Colin Scott-trained Recalculate ($10) by three-quarters of a length while the $3.50 favourite Pakaya Prince boxed on fairly well to hold third after leading.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Kristilli Added to Magic Millions Supplementary Mares
The build up to this month's Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast has intensified with the release today of the first supplementary lots.
Mystik Dan Triumphs in Dramatic Kentucky Derby
While the close relatives Sierra Leone and Forever Young (JPN) engaged in a not-so-friendly family spat down the straight, Mystik Dan enjoyed an unhindered rail run to capture the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Dowms, completing a memorable weekend for jockey Brian Hernandez Jr and trainer Ken McPeek.
War Decree Fee Rise
Inglewood Stud’s young stallion War Decree will stand at a slightly increased fee of $7,000 +GST in 2024, up from $5,500 in 2023.
Alma Vale / Kitchwin Hills to Offer Lone I Am Invincible Filly at Inglis Weanlings
The newly created Alma Vale /Kitchwin Hills Partnership run by Verna Metcalfe (General Manager of Alma Vale and Kitchwin Hills) and Stud Manager Oscar Englebrecht has hit the ground running this year and have been kept busy at Riverside Stables this week with a draft of 24 youngsters to be offered at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale next Monday and Tuesday.
Sires With Winners - Sunday May 5
Here is the full list of 56 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Dam of Coco Sun to be offered at Inglis Broodmare Sale
There were emotional scenes at Riverside as the Tyreel Stud team watched one of their favourite fillies Coco Sun (The Autumn Sun) win the G1 South Australian Derby at Morphettville and her dam, who is back in foal to The Autumn Sun, will be offered in the Inglis Broodmare Sale on Friday.
Yarraman Park Celebrate Historic Achievement - I Am Invincible Sets New Record
One of Australia's premier thoroughbred studs, Yarraman Park proudly acknowledges a momentous milestone in the world of horse racing and breeding in Australia.
Another Guineas Upset and Shock Result
The Group I Newmarket One Thousand Guineas (1m) for the fillies delivered a surprise package of a result as did the colts edition on Saturday with victory going to the half-sister by Kingman to Woodside Park Stud’s new recruit Benbatl (GB).
Western Empire Turns Back the Clock
The winner of the 2021 Group 1 WATC Railway Stakes and Group II Western Australian Derby, the 6-year-old Iffraaj (GB) gelding Western Empire turned back the clock to win Sunday’s $200,000 Group III Tabtouch Northam Stakes (1300m).
Danon Ayers Rock Back in Business
The winner of both of his starts at two, Mosheen’s son Danon Ayers Rock (JPN) lost his unbeaten record when finishing midfield in his seasonal debut in the Group II Deep Impact Kinen at Nakayama on March 3 before returning to the winner’s circle in Saturday’s Listed Principal Stakes (2000m) at Tokyo.