Trainer Confident Former Perth Star Can Snare Melbourne Group 1
18 September, 2018
Thoroughbred
Co trainer David Eustace is confident Perth-owned gelding Lite’n In My Veins has the firepower to win the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Lite’n In My Veins was a dual Group 3 winner in Perth for previous trainer Fred Kersley, successful in the Sir Ernest Lee Steere Classic (1400m) on debut and the Northerly Stakes (1400m).
After he transferred to Melbourne last year the son of Henrythenavigator won three consecutive races at Morphettville and a 2040 handicap at Moonee Valley earlier in June.
Last-start on September 1, after a short freshen-up, Lite’n In My Veins ran another solid race when he finished second to Night Watch carrying 58.5kg over 1400m at Caulfield.
Eustace, who trains Lite’n In My Veins in partnership with Ciaron Maher, said combined with the Caulfield run and excellent track work, he is brimming with confidence.
“His start the other day was massive,” Eustace told Tabradio.
“He covered a mile over the 1400 metres.
“We have geared him up for this race.
“We believe he is in the right sort of form to go very close in a race like this.
“He worked really well this morning (Tuesday) and I think he can win.”
Lite’n In My Veins, who has won 9 of 27 races, will drop to 54.5kg in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.
After some cajoling from Eustace and Maher, Regan Bayliss has been book for the ride.
“Regan was tossing up and deciding which horse to ride, Eustace said.
“I rang him yesterday (Monday) and told him the horse was flying and he won’t regret it.
“He galloped him this morning (Tuesday) and said we were quite right.
“You get those older horses who come down in the weights and in higher grade they can really jump out of the ground.
“I think the key to him is to keep him fresh and spacing his runs seems to be working.
“Fingers crossed he can jag a big one.”
Julio Santarelli