Tanker Back to Best

Tara Madgwick - Friday October 2

Talented Pride of Dubai gelding Tanker was the first Australian stakes-winner for his sire when winning the Listed MRC Debutant Stakes last year and bounced back to his best form to win at Moonee Valley on Friday night.

Advertisement

Tanker - Ross Holburt / Racing Photos

Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Tanker was gelded at the end of his juvenile season after failing to deliver on his early potential, but has made a gradual return to form this preparation and relished the 1600m of this assignment.

He led for home and was strong to the line to win by nearly three lengths.
 



“He’s showing that he wants ground. I thought he raced like he would get a little bit further, so we can have a look now and see what’s coming up,” said David Eustace.

Consigned by his breeder, Ian Smith's Edinburgh Park Stud, to the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Tanker was purchased by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock for $170,000 and runs for a big syndicate with Edinburgh Park retaining a small share..

He is a half-brother to stakes-winner Lady Naturaliste being the best of three winners from stakes-winning Tale of the Cat (SA) mare Calcatta, who died last year and her final foal is a yearling colt by Zoustar.

Tanker is the eighth winner this season for Pride of Dubai, who stands at a fee of $38,500 this spring.



 

Advertisment

Race Result - Bill Badger (Bm64) 1600m

Moonee Valley Track: Good(3) Time: 1:38.13
1
Tanker
- 3g Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x Calcatta (AUS) (Tale Of The Cat (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Teodore Nugent 60.5
2
2.8
Trodaire
- 3g Akeed Mofeed (GB) x Marchelle Belle (AUS) (Anabaa (USA))
Tnr: Lloyd Kennewell Rdr: D Oliver 59
3
3.3
El Santo
- 3g Press Statement (AUS) x Lucha Libre (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: Dan O'Sullivan Rdr: Will Price 56
4
3.4
Mr Roger
- 3g Swiss Ace (AUS) x Mrs Kennedy (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Richard Laming Rdr: Lewis German 57
5
3.6
Criminal
- 3g Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x Count Your Fingers (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: W Egan 60.5
More Reading...
Better Than Ready’s Metalart Wins Group 3 W J Healy Stakes
Improving off a third in the Listed Lightning Handicap at Eagle Farm recently, 4yo Better Than Ready gelding Metalart stepped up to 1200m to record his first black type success, winning the Group 3 W J Healy Stakes.
Another Aussie SW Sourced from Aga Khan Studs
When Australian investors buy tried horses out of Europe from Aga Khan Studs they know they are getting quality, but the good ones don’t come cheap with Elamaz (IRE) sourced from their draft at the Arqana Arc Sale last year for €480,000.
Red Right Out Wins MM Queensland Qualifier
The 2026 Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo & Showjumping will feature the third annual Queensland Off-The-Track Cup (QOTT) final on Sunday, 11 January 2026 at Doug Jennings Park on the Gold Coast. 
Promising 2YOs for Pike
Tony Pike found it difficult to split his juvenile charges the last time they took each other on and it’s the same story at Ruakaka.
How Much for a Snitzel Colt from Winx?
The record price for a yearling by the late champion sire Snitzel stands at $2.8million, but that benchmark looks set to be smashed at Inglis Easter next year.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 29
Here is the full list of 53 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 28
Here is the full list of 109 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Big Pedigrees Don’t Always Spell Black Type
The breeding of thoroughbreds is a very inexact science which is why we saw siblings to a pair of Group I winners fighting out the finish of a very pedestrian 1100m maiden at Ballarat on Sunday.
Euro G1 – Bridesmaid No More and Two Time Derby Hero
Aga Khan Studs don’t race a lot of geldings, but one that they do is Calandagan, who shook off his G1 bridesmaid tag winning the Group I Grand Prix de Saint Cloud in France, while in Ireland the Coolmore machine kept the winning run going to take out the Group I Irish Derby (1 ½ m).
$3million Won Through Inglis Xtra Bonus
A staggering $3m has now been won as part of the Inglis Xtra Bonus Series following today’s victory by the Cody Morgan-trained 3YO Considered at Dubbo.