First-up win keeps Eurack streak intact

Cranbourne-trained Eurack has maintained her pefect record with an easy first-up win at Caulfield.

Cranbourne-trained Eurack has maintained her perfect record with an easy first-up win at Caulfield.

Having her first start since August, Eurack led throughout to claim Saturday’s Ladbrokes Handicap (1100m) under Ben Melham.

Jumping smartly, Melham had the $2.60 favourite quickly in the lead and under hands and heels riding defeated Handsome Thief ($3.20) by three-quarters of a length, with Highland Beat ($13) a neck away third.

Trainer Nathan McPherson said the mare would head to Flemington on March 3 for another benchmark race before she stepped up to stakes grade, with possible trips to Adelaide and Queensland to follow.

McPherson said wanted to protect the unbeaten sequence of the mare, who he believed was still six to 12 months away from reaching her full potential.

“She’s pretty special and she’s going to attract a big following now,” McPherson said.

“I’m going to have to get used to this for a little while longer.

“We’ll get her home, get recovery into her and aim for Flemington in a few more weeks.

“I think if we can keep giving her a look at these lesser races while she’s having a look at those tracks she will keep improving.”

Melham has no doubts Eurack is capable of winning at a higher level and praised McPherson for taking his time with the four-year-old.

“We got to the bottom of her we felt at her last run so he tipped her out and gave her a good break,” Melham said.

“He gave her a good grounding but we’re happy to pick through the grades, get her rating up, and there’s no doubt she’s up to winning better races.”