Sydney Cup on the Radar for Two Mile Specialist Azuro

Mark Smith - Saturday November 16

Ciaron Maher has a real affinity with the stock of Myboycharlie (IRL) and he has another one for the collection in the French import Azuro (FR).

The OTI Racing colour-bearer resented been restrained in the first part of Saturday’s $150,000 Listed Sandown Cup (3200m) before Mark Zahra managed to switch him off.

Set alight at the 1000 metres, Azuro hit the lead coming three-wide in to the straight and he kept up a relentless gallop to defeat his stablemate Wall Of Fire (IRE) (Canford Cliffs) by one and a quarter lengths with Neufbosc (FR) (Mastercraftsman) a half-neck back in third.

It was Azuro’s third win in four starts over 3,200m, which included his only other stakes win, the Listed Queensland Cup at Eagle Farm and he was second to Yogi in last year’s Sandown Cup.

The 6yo son of Myboycharlie (IRE) advances his record to 7 wins, 5 seconds 5 thirds from 31 starts with earnings of $563,154.

Maher, who trains in partnership with David Eustace, said he found it difficult to separate his two runners.

"I didn't think there was much between them and it showed," Maher told AAP.

Advertisement

"The other horse, Wall Of Fire, came home strongly late but credit to Azuro. He's got an impressive record over the two miles now.

"He'll have a little rest now and probably head on to the Sydney Cup."

A winner at Chantilly and a two-time winner at Maisons-Laffitte before initially joining the Darren Weir team, Azuro (FR) was a 12,000 euro Arqana yearling.  He is the best of five winners from as many to race out of the winning Okawango (USA) mare Anthropologie who is a half-sister to the Listed Prix Yacowlef winner and Group III Nell Gwyn Stakes third Roseanna (Anabaa).

Anthropologie's dam Dancing Rose is a half-sister to Danedrop the dam of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes heroine Danedream.

Azuro is one of 20 stakes-winners for the former Vinery Stud and Bowness Stud shuttler Myboycharlie (IRE) (Danetime).

Advertisment

Race Result - Ladbrokes Sandown Cup LR 3200m

Sandown-Hillside Track: Good(4) Time: 3:24.64
1
Azuro
- 6g Myboycharlie (IRE) x Anthropologie (IRE) (Okawango (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: M Zahra 57
2
1.3
Wall Of Fire
- 7g Canford Cliffs (IRE) x Bright Sapphire (IRE) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Craig Williams 54.5
3
1.5
Neufbosc
- 5g Mastercraftsman (IRE) x Nonsuch Way (IRE) (Verglas (IRE))
Tnr: D & B Hayes & T Dabernig Rdr: L Nolen 59
4
1.6
Etah James
- 7m Raise The Flag (GB) x Etah (NZ) (Danasinga (AUS))
Tnr: Matthew Cumani Rdr: Ms L J Meech 54
5
2.0
Sound
- 7h Lando (GER) x Sky Dancing (IRE) (Exit To Nowhere (USA))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: J Winks 60
6
3.8
Haky
- 6g Muhtathir (GB) x Marah Dubai (FR) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: Archie Alexander Rdr: Jordan Childs 59.5
7
6.1
Saunter Boy
- 7g Myboycharlie (IRE) x Marie Des Fleurs (FR) (Smart Strike (CAN))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: Jye McNeil 54
8
16.1
Bemboka Queen
- 5m Foxwedge (AUS) x Queen Of Queens (AUS) (King Of Kings (IRE))
Tnr: R E Laing Rdr: B Vorster 54
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Sunday July 13
Here is the full list of 71 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Myboycharlie's Begood Toya Mother Captures Rupert Clarke
Irish jockey Declan Bates and Warrnambool trainer Daniel Bowman celebrated their first Group 1 successes when the $26,000 yearling Begood Toya Mother captured Saturday’s $500,000 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
Vale, Leading NZ Administrator Ian Boyland
New Zealand racing has lost a highly respected and popular administrator with the passing of Ian Boyland at the age of 81.
Hong Kong Win for Record Priced Deep Field
Not all expensive colts stay on the right track even when they win a stakes race on debut.
Colt from Aussie Glamour Girl Mosheen Tops JRHA Select Sale - Yearlings
The first day of the 2025 JRHA Select Sale featuring yearlings was held at Northern Horse Park in Hokkaido on Monday and the horse that topped the session is a colt from triple Australian Group I winning mare Mosheen.
Out of a $600 Mare Begood Toya Mother Makes It Six in a Row
A week after his daughter Sistercharlie claimed a second win in the Group 1 Beverley D Stakes at Arlington Park, former Vinery and Bowness Stud shuttler Myboycharlie (IRE) hit the board in Australia with Begood Toya Mother who earned a maiden stakes win in Saturday's Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Backing Tomorrow’s Leaders: Sunline Trust and Stallion Auction Unite for the Future
On Saturday 26 July, the New Zealand thoroughbred breeding community will gather at the National Breeding Awards — not only to celebrate excellence, but to invest in the future of our people and our industry.
Star Sprinting Mare Olentia Heads to Magic Virtual Sale
Outstanding racemare Olentia will provide buyers from around the globe an incredible opportunity when she is offered at next month's Magic Millions Virtual Sale.
Sires With Winners - Monday July 14
Here is the full list of 25 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Myboycharlie's Sistercharlie Goes Back To Back in Beverley D
With Charossa making it three consecutive wins at Flemington on Saturday and the recent victory of Azuro in the Listed Brisbane Cup it underscores what an underappreciated stallion Myboycharlie (IRE) was and it was hammered home again at Arlington International Racecourse on Saturday when Sistercharlie (IRE) wrote her name in the record books.