Winning Horse: Durston (Gb)

5yoG Sea The Moon (Ger) - Caribana (GB)(Hernando (Fr))

10 starts - 3 wins 2 seconds 2 thirds 2 fourths $218538

Black Type Placings

3rd G3 Gb - Newbury Unibet Geoffrey Freer Stakes (Group 3) 2671m (2019)

Other Wins

1st Gb - Chester Whitley Neill Handcraft Gin Handicap 2472m (2019)

1st Gb - Doncaster Doncaster Groundworks Handicap 2922m (2019)

Other Placings

2nd Gb - Goodwood Unibet Handicap 2412m (2019)

2nd Gb - Nottingham B&M Installations Maiden Stakes (Div 1) 1678m (2018)

3rd Bath Almeda Facilities/Ebf Novice Stakes 2046m (2018) (Debut Run)

Race Result:

1st: Durston (B Prebble/C Maher & D Eustace) - $13

2nd: Mankayan (L Meech/C Maher & D Eustace) - $4.80
3rd: Alcyone (D Oliver/J Cummings) - $2F

Winning Time: 2:05.48 Last 600m: N/A

Margins: Head x ½ Neck

Winning Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace (Ciaron Maher interviewed)

“The owners have been patient. He did put the writing on the wall (last start) and I thought we’d get him to his next run a bit quicker, but he just had a little splint that came up that was a bit annoying.

“The team at Ballarat have done a super job with him. He had a trial at Cranbourne the other day just to keep him ticking over and he’s a real natural stayer.

“I said to Brett before the race that he’s forward enough to win and to ride him where you’re comfortable.

“Brett’s obviously riding in good form and making the correct decisions when he needs to.

“If he can slip into a Lexus or something like that (to get into the Melbourne Cup), he’s probably going to have to win a ‘win-and-you’re-in’ race. He’s a really genuine stayer and Flemington, he’ll enjoy and hopefully he can do it.”

Mankayan: “He looked like he just floated there beside Durston but he’s back on track as well.”

On Floating Artist earlier: “He probably just didn’t get to top gear. Teo (Nugent) got some beautiful sections up the top but I thought he might have just held onto him a little bit long. But his next run will be the Moonee Valley Cup or Geelong Cup. They’re all options for him. He’s the same (as he) needs a ticket into the big dance as well.”

Winning Jockey: Brett Prebble

“Outstanding performance. With such a big weight I was mindful of going too soon on him, but the offer was too good to knock back to get the favourite in a pocket.

“He really toughed out well but was it labouring with the 63 kilos. Credit to the horse, he tried really hard - his head was right down, his ears flat back - he went 250 metres and said ‘you’re not getting past me’.

“That’s how he went to the line and even past the line he was tough as a bulldog.

“I’m happy with that win because it was my first ride for Ciaron Maher for a very long time and for it to be a winner is even more special.”