Spring Classics Preview Day (Flemington) – September 18th

Villa Paradiso Trophy

(BM78 Handicap - 1630m)

Post Race Details & Comments

Winning Horse: Unanimous (Aus)

5yoG Deep Field (Aus) - Without Exception (Aus)(Flying Spur (Aus))

18 starts - 4 wins 2 seconds 3 thirds 3 fourths $217200

Other Wins

1st Caulfield The Big Screen Company (Bm84) 1400m (2022)

1st Warrnambool Goodbye Albany (Bm64) 1400m (2021)

1st Sandown-Hillside Ladbrokes Back Yourself Mdn 1000m (2020) (Debut Run)

Other Placings

2nd Moonee Valley Mirasan Hand Sanitiser (Bm84) 1500m (2022)

2nd Flemington Victorian Jockeys' Assoc-Bm70 1600m (2022)

3rd Sandown-Hillside Ladbrokes Cash In (Bm64) 1500m (2021)

3rd Wangaratta Sign Effects (Bm64) 1000m (2021)

3rd Sandown-Hillside Mrc Membership (Bm70) 1000m (2020)


Race Result:

1st: Unanimous (Ciaron Maher & David Eustace/Ben Melham) - $3.90 Fav

2nd: Gunstock (Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr./Jamie Kah) - $8
3rd:
 He’s Our Bonneval (Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young/Alana Kelly) - $18

Winning Time: 1:43.18   Last 600m: NA

Margins: ½ Length x 2 Lengths

Winning Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace (Stable rep Jack Turnbull speaking)

On drawing barrier 1: “We drew probably the worst gate possible. He’s a horse that needs space and to come wide if possible.

“Credit to Ben, he was a bit in two minds as to where he was going to go, it nearly didn’t work out with Craig rolling back on him (aboard Kweats) but he was solid to the line.

“He was travelling well, which is most important. Ben has done a lot of work on the horse so he knows him well.

“He has been very frustrating. Big thanks go to Dream (Thoroughbreds),  who have been very patient, so it’s just a great result for the Cranbourne stable and staff for him to win today.”

On the horse: “He’s frustrating because he’s a get-back, run-on horse so he needs everything to go his way, it did today, but he’s probably going to lose more than he wins but for a horse, to be in him, it’d be very good.”

Winning Jockey: Ben Melham

On the horse: “The horse has been going really well, but he’s a real handful, he’s just a bloody menace to be honest.

“He’s got a mind of his own, he goes straight around bends, he’s got a big extravagant action and he’s genuinely been unlucky his last couple but just with his big extravagant action he doesn’t help himself.

On his decision to stick to the inside: “Before the race I went out ad had a look at the track ad I was happy to stay hard rail just thinking I wouldn’t be able to get right out where you needed to be.

“It was no disadvantage being hard on the rail but obviously Willo might have had the same idea, but I was able to just get inside his heels and he maintained a good gallop on that fresh patch of ground.

On his manners today: “They were pretty good, but he’s got a light mouth, he’s got a mind of his own. He should have won a lot more races, but he just doesn’t help himself.

“He’s really been flying in his work and it’s good to see him get a win on the board.”