Mark Zahra typically sidesteps early-season juveniles, but Lindsay Park is the exception he’s happy to make.
Partnering with Ben, Will and J D Hayes, Zahra steered Eurocanto to victory in Victoria’s season-opening two-year-old event, the Listed Maribyrnong Trial (1000m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Positioned worse than midfield before angling out in the last 200m, Eurocanto ($8) surged late to collar Streisand ($5.50) by a half-head, with One Day At A Time ($4) another neck away in third.
“To be honest, I usually don’t like riding two-year-olds too early but when the Hayes’ call, I’ll pick up the phone,” Zahra said.
“They’ll usually identify one that they’re happy with and they want me to trial.
“It is a good process and if I like it them, I’ll stick with it.
“That is what happened with this guy. I trialled him twice and liked him two times and he’s got the job done today.”
It wasn’t straightforward early: edgy in the stalls, Eurocanto left Zahra pocketed on the fence at the 400m before he found clear air to build through his gears.
“It is a tough test first-up up the straight over 1000 (metres) and I like to be the last one on the scene,” Zahra said.
“He did that well. He was able to travel up behind them and showed good grit late to win.”
Purchased for $250,000 on the Gold Coast, Eurocanto was selected by Lindsay Park’s sales team led by Dean Hawthorne and quickly became a stable standout.
“We really liked him, and we’ve had good success with the stallion,” Hayes said.
“He’s an athletic style of horse with plenty of improvement to come and it was good to be able to kick off his career in that fashion.”
By Per Incanto, Eurocanto shares his sire line with Little Brose, winner of the 2023 Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (run at Sandown that year).
“It was a professional performance,” Hayes said.
“We’ll see how he pulls up and it would be tempting, all systems go, to go to Cup week, but first and foremost we’ll see how he is first thing in the morning.”
If you’re having a bet on the Maribyrnong Trial, compare the best betting sites, leading betting apps and top Australian bookmakers before you play.
