By Craig Brennan
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable is expected to rely on Le Don De Vie as its sole representative in one of the feature races at the Sunshine Coast.
Stable mate Thought Of That has also been entered for the Listed Caloundra Cup over 2400 metres on Saturday, but Eustace said it was more than likely he would bypass the race.
Le Don De Vie will be fronting up for the third start of his campaign and Eustace said the stable expected the 2400 metres to suit the imported galloper.
Starting his career with Hughie Morrison in the UK, Le Don De Vie was initially prepared by Anthony and Sam Freedman when he first arrived in Australia.
He finished second in the 2020 Geelong Cup over 2400 metres then the following year won the Listed 2350 metre Warrnambool Cup before venturing north to Queensland to finish seventh in the Group 3 Premier’s Cup at Eagle Farm and tenth in the Group 2 Q22.
After a four-run spring campaign, connections that include leading owners Brae Sokolski, Ozzie Kheir and John O’Neill, elected on a change of stable.
Le Don De Vie scored a surprise $81 first-up win over 1600 metres at Flemington for co-trainers Maher and Eustace before heading to Brisbane to finish 11th in the Q22 at Eagle Farm on June 11.
“He’s a good horse on his day,” Eustace said.
“He won over a mile first-up so that was a big shock at a big price then the Q22 didn’t really work out.
“He is getting up to a mile-and-a-half which he will like, and we will possibly plan to ride him a bit more positively as well.”
Maher and Eustace are yet to win the Caloundra Cup.
Local trainer David Vandyke holds a strong hand in Saturday’s race having entered Fast Talker, Spencer and Street Dancer for the 2400 metre contest.
The final field with barriers will be declared on Wednesday.