Maiden city double for young Cranbourne trainer

Brad Waters - Wednesday July 26

Young trainers always need a smart horse to get them going and Cranbourne-based Nathan McPherson might have found one in the form of Sandown winner Eurack.

Advertisement
Photo: Darryl Sherer

McPherson spent more than two years away from racing before resuming training last spring but produced Eurack for a debut win at Bendigo on July 7.

Eurack was a 3-1/2 length winner in heavy ground on debut but easily handled the transition to city racing with an equally dominant 4-1/4 length win in the Comcater Handicap (1000m).

Jockey Ben Melham parked Eurack ($5 fav) behind the speed to the home turn before the daughter of Oneworld ended the $35,000 race as a contest with smart acceleration at the 400 metre mark, drawing away to score easily.

The Frankie Stockdale-trained Eminent Son ($12) was second ahead the $6.50 chance Accelerato, who was also a maiden winner at the Bendigo meeting.

Eurack completed a double for McPherson after Hunting Hill ($9) claimed the Hamilton Reid Chartered Accountants Handicap (1300m), also with Melham aboard.

McPherson told Racing Victoria he was chatting about the possibility of a maiden city double on Tuesday evening.

"Like I said last night when I was talking to a few of the boys around the fire at the stables when we were finishing up, I've had some big moments in my life good and bad, but this could be the biggest hour in my life," McPherson said.

"All the boys, my girlfriend, everyone's here today and for Ben (Melham) to be on both of those horses, I couldn't have asked for a better script to be written."

Hunting Hill defeated the Colin Scott-trained Recalculate ($10) by three-quarters of a length while the $3.50 favourite Pakaya Prince boxed on fairly well to hold third after leading.

Advertisment
More Reading...
MM Order of Entry 2YO and 3YO Updated
There were some big movers and shakers from last weekend’s racing as we head towards Magic Millions day on January 17 with Farnan gelding Ninja taking a stranglehold on the 3YO Guineas, while Sword of State colt Warwoven is favourite for the 2YO Classic.
Twin Hills Magic Quality – First Yearlings for Daumier
The undulating terrain at Cootamundra in the south west of NSW is prime horse country with the Twin Hills Stud nursery producing some outstanding gallopers in 2025 and they offer a diverse draft of 16 for Magic Millions including five by Blue Diamond winner Daumier.
Torryburn Stud Out To Create Magic Moments
Torryburn Stud’s Cornish family are renowned for producing racehorses of the highest calibre, highlighted by Voyage Bubble, who in the last 12 months has not only added a second G1 Hong Kong Mile to his record, but also created history by winning the Hong Kong Triple Crown, taking his overall record to 12 wins, six at G1 level and more than HK$128m in earnings.
Pedigree Pointers – Karaka 2026
The 2026 NZB National Yearling Sales (January 25-29) offers buyers the cream of the New Zealand crop and in the weeks leading up to the sale we’ll go looking for pedigrees of interest for a myriad of reasons.
Golden Family Keeps Shining
Waikato Stud-bred filly La Dorada continues to add further honours to her richly decorated family.
Sires With Winners - Sunday January 4
Here is the full list of 55 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Monday January 5
Here is the full list of 14 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Magic Story Behind Cressfield Colt
One of the most popular foaling stories on Breednet back in the spring of 2024 revolved around the full brother to dual Group I winner Stefi Magnetica and while the beginning of his life was marred by tragedy, it’s been blue sky and a smooth journey ever since for the Magic Millions bound colt.
Hello Youmzain Filly Looking Sweet
Chris Rutten has a knack for selecting Karaka Millions 2YO contenders, and he looks to have struck again, this time with the Roydon Bergerson-trained Sweetest Thing.
MM Contender Unit Five Wins Gold Coast Trial
The Ciaron Maher trained Supido colt Unit Five was scratched from a Sydney barrier trial last week as he continues his preparation for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic on January 17 and reappeared at the Gold Coast on Monday morning.