There will be a hint of sibling rivalry in the Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) with English brothers David and Harry Eustace both having chances to win the time-honoured race at Randwick on Saturday.
David Eustace trains in partnership with Ciaron Maher in Australia and they operate one of the largest stables in the country with bases in Victoria and Sydney.
Maher and Eustace have New Zealand-bred gallopers Yogi (NZ) (Raise The Flag) and Etah James (NZ) (Raise The Flag) in Saturday’s Cup as well as Azuro (Myboycharlie), with the trio all at $26 on Thursday.
The $2.50 favourite is the William Haggas-trained English visitor Young Rascal (Intello) who won the Gr.3 Manion Cup (2400m) in the lead-up at Rosehill.
Young Rascal, and stablemate Addeybb (Pivotal) who is one of the favourites for Saturday’s Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m), are being looked after in Sydney by Haggas’ assistant Harry Eustace.
“It will be fun and hopefully one of us can take it,” David Eustace said.
“I’d say Harry has probably got a stronger hand but if Azuro gets the right run he’s a chance, I do think that.
“We both like to win, that’s for sure.
“It will be a good day. It’s a shame I can’t get up there but that’s the way it is at the moment. We’re just thankful we’re racing.”
Eustace and Maher are both in Victoria and will not be at Randwick because of restrictions on racing participants’ interstate movements during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Assistant trainer Annabel Neasham oversees the team’s Sydney stable at Warwick Farm.
Yogi was unplaced in last year’s Sydney Cup but has a win at the distance and heads to the race off an eighth in the Manion Cup and sixth in last Saturday’s Gr.2 Chairman’s Quality (2600m).
Etah James beat Azuro when fourth in the Auckland Cup (Gr.1, 3200m) for trainer and part-owner Mark Lupton before being sent across the Tasman to Maher and Eustace for a Sydney Cup tilt.
“She’s been training well and she trialled up nicely,” Eustace said. “She came to us pretty fit and right to go.
“We’re grateful to have her in our care for a short time and hopefully she runs well. I’m hopeful she will.”
Eustace rates Young Rascal as the horse to beat.
“I think he’s going to stay and the two miles will be no trouble,” he said.
