Ciaron Maher and David Eustace’s stunning 2023 South Australian Racing Carnival was complete when Royal Merchant proved too strong in Saturday’s $502,250 Group 1 Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville.
Caught wide throughout, the three-year-old filly gave the stable their third win from the four Group 1 races, after finishing second in last week’s Group 1 SA Derby, when Royal Merchant was simply too good for her more seasoned rivals.
“Unbelievable,’’ co-trainer David Eustace said.
“I can’t honest say we came thinking we would win.
“She’s had to dance every dance. We’ve served it up to her and she’s delivered. She’s very very tough, full credit to a three-year-old filly to do that’’ he said.
Royal Merchant joined the likes of Takeover Target and Black Caviar in winning the South Australian sprint feature as a three-year-old filly.
Rider Michael Dee said it was a noticeable difference of how much the filly had improved from her Group 2 Tobin Bronze win the previous start.
“I’ve been lucky enough to stick with her, she gave me a far better feel then last start,’’ Dee said.
“We had to do it the hard way, we never had any cover.
“I had to press the button to soon, but it was an amazing win by her,’’ he said.
SA mare Another Award was game in defeat, looking like the winner when she found clear and set out after the winner.
Co-trainer Andrew Gluyas said jockey Jason Holder thought she was the winner half way down the straight.
“He was elated and disappointed, he thought we had it won,’’ Gluyas said.
