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New Kiwi Addition to Maher Eustace Stable

Media Release - Tuesday February 15

Promising filly Verona has run her last race in New Zealand with her sale to Australia.

The daughter of Belardo had just the five starts in New Zealand for former trainer Jenna Mahoney, winning on debut before running fifth in the Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m), and fourths in the Gr.2 Royal Stakes (2000m) and Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m).

Young Lope de Vega stallion Belardo (IRE) is the sire of Verona.

Her connections were aiming her towards the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham next month, however, an offer from clients of trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace was too tempting.

“We were hoping to keep her for the Oaks here but decided it wasn’t worth it and she was better to be sold,” Mahoney said.

“It would have been nice to have had a filly to aim towards the Oaks but with racing in New Zealand it doesn’t really work like that and my decent ones always sell.

“She is talented and I think the further distance she goes the better she will be. She is a nice filly.

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“I think she will be definitely competitive over there against the fillies over 2000m.”

Verona was purchased for $8,000 out of Haunui Farm’s 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 3 Sale by Mahoney under her Cypress Point Farms banner.

Meanwhile, Mahoney is looking forward to lining up Withallmyheart in the Dads Pies 1500 at Ellerslie on Saturday.

“He didn’t have much luck in the race last time,” Mahoney said. “He has been working really well since and if he gets more luck in the running he could be right in it.” - NZ Racing Desk

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