Fresh from saddling the first two runners home in the Gr.1 South Australian Derby (2500m) last Saturday, Ciaron Maher and David Eustace are set to display the depth of their staying three-year-olds with promising galloper Through Irish Eyes (NZ) (Tavistock) ready to take on older horses in the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at Flemington.
New Zealand-bred pair Explosive Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry) and Let’s Karaka Deel (NZ) (Dundeel) proved a class above their rivals in their one-two Derby finish and now improving Tavistock gelding Through Irish Eyes is one of seven Ramsden nominations from the in-form stable, with the winner landing an all-important Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) ballot exemption.
“The reason for running in the Ramsden is the 2800m at Flemington really suits that horse,” Maher told RSN’s Racing Pulse.
“He’s a bit like Let’s Karaka Deel but bigger, he’s still got to furnish and he’s a real genuine stayer so 2800m is much more to his liking than 2400m.”
The last start winner of the Listed St Leger (2800m), Through Irish Eyes cruised past his rivals but was still green over the concluding stages.
“Obviously having that experience at Flemington already holds him in good stead, so we’ll have this week’s target and then will work out his plan after that,” Maher said.
Let’s Karaka Deel is set to carry on to the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m), with Explosive Jack highly probable to join him, while Through Irish Eyes, a $150,000 Karaka purchase could also join them depending on his Ramsden performance.
