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...
Super Seth Filly Adds to Te Akau NZB Kiwi Contenders
Te Akau Racing strengthened their representation in next month’s $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) following the announcement of their Group One winner La Dorada as ‘The People’s Horse’.
The Real Diamonds in a Rhinestone World
It's hard to be a diamond in a rhinestone world -   Dolly Parton - Who is the authentic juvenile gem and who are the cut-glass pretenders in the 2026 G1 Blue Diamond Stakes field? 
Breeding To Win - 2026 G1 Blue Diamond Stakes
The late withdrawal on Friday morning of unbeaten Bivouac colt Big Sky from the $2million Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) has taken a key contender from the mix, but with a full field of 16 it's a race packed with intrigue.
Anamoe breeding right among extraordinarily strong Inglis Feb (Late) catalogue
A breeding right in first season sire sensation Anamoe, multiple Stakes horses and young mares with highly desirable pregnancies are just some of the highlights of one of the strongest Inglis Digital catalogues ever assembled.
MRC Foundation pledges more than $50,000 to support Victorian bushfire recovery
The MRC Foundation will contribute more than $50,000 in direct financial and practical support to bushfire-affected communities across northeast Victoria, as regional racing families begin the long road to recovery following the recent Longwood fires.
Records Tumble as Gingerbread Man Colt Tops Book Two
A colt by leading local sire Gingerbread Man topped Book Two when selling for $190,0000 as the 2026 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale rounded out with record breaking results.
Vale, Reliable Man
Westbury Stud today announced with great sadness the passing of high-class racehorse and outstanding sire Reliable Man, who was humanely euthanised on veterinary advice due to post-surgical complications following the removal of a melanoma.
Waters awarded 2026 Sunline Trust International Management Scholarship
Niamh Waters has been announced as the 2026 recipient of the Sunline Trust International Management Scholarship and will depart on Saturday to begin her 30-week international experience.
Sires With Winners - Thursday February 19
Here is the full list of 43 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Unbeaten Run Continues as Aristopolos Wins Gold Sovereign
Taking his record to five from five, outstanding St Mark’s Basilica (FR) colt Aristopolos gave nothing else a chance in Friday night’s Listed Gold Sovereign Stakes (1200m) at Launceston with John Blacker trained 2yo pulling clear to win by two lengths.