The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable have a progressive three year-old in the team by Merchant Navy with Calico Jack posting his third win with a dominant display at Sandown on Wednesday.
Sixth in the Group III ATC Breeders Plate on debut at two, Calico Jack has taken good improvement into his classic season and backed from a last start win at Cranbourne to race clear and win the Benchmark 64 event over 1300m by more than three lengths.
“I was really impressed with the turn of foot he showed today and he seems to be learning with every start,” said Ethan Brown.
Calico Jack has won three of eight stars earning nearly $90,000 in prizemoney and is clearly on an upswing.
Calico Jack was a $425,000 Magic Millions purchase for Ciaron Maher Bloodstock from the Cressfield draft and is the first winner for stakes-placed Shamardal import Shrill (GB), a half-sister to Group II winners Silkwood, Silent Honor and to the dam of dual Group I winner Old Persian.
Shrill has a yearling colt by Merchant Navy that was sold by Cressfield at Magic Millions last week for $130,000 to Paul Moroney Bloodstock/Catheryne Bruggeman/Ballymore Stables.
Merchant Navy has five entries for Inglis Classic and four for Karaka Book 1.
