Ciaron Maher and David Eustace outline key chances for Caloundra Cup day

Champion training duo Ciaron Maher and David Eustace are hoping to repeat their 2022 Caloundra Cup Day heroics as they highlight their best chances for Saturday’s card.

David Eustace and Ciaron Maher are chasing more success at the Sunshine Coast this Saturday. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Champion trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace have their eyes on back-to-back Caloundra Cup titles with three stable runners to compete in two of the three feature races.

The nine-race card on July 1 has again received a boost in funding with three $300,000 black-type events such as the Caloundra Cup (listed), Winx Guineas (Group 3) and the Glasshouse Handicap (Listed).

In 2022, Maher and Eustace took out the 2400m event through six-year-old gelding Le Don De Vie and jockey Nash Rawiller.

Le Don De Vie reigns supreme in the Caloundra Cup!@nashhot@[e-mail]/haKk4V5nAO

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 2, 2022

After nominating five runners, Eustace confirmed on Tuesday that three would head north to the Sunshine Coast for the Caloundra Cup (2400m) and the Glasshouse Handicap (1400m).

He said his stable’s leading chance was in the Glasshouse Handicap and that the two runners would be suited to a dry track.

“Both Chassis and Blaze A Trail are racing really well but Chassis in particular,” he said.

“They’ll be fine on top of the ground and Blaze A Trail certainly prefers it so that’s encouraging.

“We’re going there with a bit of confidence again.”

Chassis is hoping to make it three wins in a row after taking out the Gai Waterhouse Classic at Ipswich on June 17.

Emotional jockey Jake Bayliss celebrates after winning the Gai Waterhouse Classic on Chassis. Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography

Secret Glamour had her last two starts in May which was a solid win at Kensington followed by a ninth place finish in the JRA Chairman’s Handicap at Doomben.

“Secret Glamour is a chance, she does like a bit of give in the ground but has got form on top of the ground as well,” he said.

“She’s capable of going well but she can be a bit awkward as well.”

Three local trainers such as Gary Duncan, David Vandyke and Kerry and Ian Taplin will be trying their luck in the Caloundra Cup with a further 11 Sunshine Coast-based trainers spread across the nine-race card.

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Jockey Kyle Wilson Taylor says he’s “on an endless high” after breaking through for his maiden Group 1 victory aboard Palaisipan in the Tatt’s Tiara at Eagle Farm.

“It’s hard to describe the feeling and the buzz,” he said.

“I haven’t been able to think straight really since the win and I think it will take a while for it all to sink in.

“I haven’t had the chance to look back on how far I’ve come but I’m sure in time I will be able to and it’ll be good.”

Chris Munce and Kyle Wilson-Taylor combine to win their first Group 1 with Palaisipan in the Tattersall's Tiara at Eagle Farm. Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography

Stewards ultimately fined Wilson-Taylor $800 for his winning salute before the finish line but he said it was a fine he was happy to pay.

“It was pre-planned, I’ve sort of been practising that salute and thought if I could ever manage to win a Group 1 that I would do something like that,” he said.

“It was a representation of how much it means to me.”

On Saturday at the Sunshine Coast the 23-year-old will ride Warning for Anthony and Sam Freedman in the Caloundra Cup and Cepheus for Matthew Dunn in the Glasshouse Handicap.

“They’re both good chances and I’m really looking forward to the rides,” he said.

“It’s good to be getting some good support and hopefully I can keep the ball rolling.”