Greg Eurell may have a smart two-year-old on his hands in the form of Lucky Brook, who opened the card at Caulfield on Saturday by winning the Sportsbet Race Previews Handicap (1000m).
By Lucky Vega, the debutant had recorded four jump-out victories and successfully transferred that winning form to race day, running out a one-length winner under the reins of Lachlan Neindorf.
Neindorf was pleased to keep Lucky Brook, who started as the $4.20 favourite with leading Aussie betting sites, out of traffic from a wide gate, scoring over Egyptian Dancer ($16) with Aston ($7) a short neck behind in third.
Eurell indicated that there are ample options for Lucky Brook in the early stages of the Spring, with the Group 3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) for early three-year-olds a key target.
“The plan was always to try and win a race and then sort of set her up for the spring, and there wasn’t much to offer, so to win a city race was even better,” Eurell commented.
“It gives us a chance to give her a bit of a let up, map something out going forward. It certainly gives us a lot of confidence going forward.”
“The spring can sort of stretch out a little bit now, so you’ve sort of got to be a little bit careful— sort of where you start and where you think you want to end up but she may be back here (for the Quezette).”
“I think she’ll cut the mustard. I think she’s very genuine, she’s obviously above average.”
The Quezette Stakes is scheduled for August 15 at Caulfield and has a history of producing subsequent Group 1-winning sprinters such as Charm Stone, Bella Nipotina, and Sunlight.
While those heights are a distant goal for Lucky Brook, Eurell believes she possesses the attributes to continue progressing and potentially extend her stamina as she matures.
“I like her attitude, everything we’ve done with her. She’s just so professional. I think she’s going to be a lovely filly going forward,” Eurell said.
“Once we sort of get a bit deeper into the prep, she’ll suggest what she’s going to do.
“But she does relax and travel. She might give herself that opportunity to sort of stretch out to a mile, however, at the moment, if she does what she does over the shorter trips we’ll be happy.”
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