Away Game Spearheads Maher-Eustace Charge

Quality Gr2-winning sprinter Away Game (Snitzel-Elusive Wonder, by Elusive Quality) is one of four runners for the Maher-Eustace stable on Saturday, reports racing.com. The 3YO filly ran third in the Listed Hinkler Handicap recently in her first run since a spell, and will run in the Gr3 WJ Healy Stakes over 1200m. "Terrific run first-up, she was very, very brave, as she always is, she just doesn't know how to lie down," co-trainer David Eustace said. "She had to absorb a lot of pressure and kept finding, she's naturally going to strip fitter for that, which she has, her work's been really sharp through the week and we're very happy with her and think she's going to run a huge race." A $425,000 graduate of the Mill Park Stud draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Away Game has earnings over $3 million. The stable also has Bella Nipotina (Pride of Dubai-Bella Orfana, by Star Witness) in the same race. "Her form suggests a bit of cut in the ground is ideal, there's some rain around on Saturday morning, which we would really appreciate landing up there, it's been pretty firm tracks all carnival, which it generally is, but a drop of rain would be really nice. Ultimately, we think she's going to improve again next season leading into the spring."

Away Game will strip fitter (pic: Steve Hart)