While the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Myboycharlie (IRE) gelding Azuro (FR) is unlikely to match the deeds of that stables star Myboycharlie (IRE) filly Jameka, the OTI Racing import is more than paying his way and he scored a well-deserved maiden stakes win in Saturday’s $200,000 Listed Queensland Cup (3200m) at Eagle Farm.
Given an enterprising ride by the in-form Matthew McGillivray, Azuro (FR) came away in the closing stages to defeat Social Element (Savabeel) by three and a quarter lengths with a head to the winner’s stablemate Yogi (Raise The Flag) in third.
Azuro came into the Queensland Cup off a win in the Stayers Cup at Rosehill and stable representative Lulu Stanton said it was the culmination of a successful Queensland carnival for the stable.
“The Sydney team have been terrific and now Matt (McGillivray) has capped it off with a top ride,” Stanton told AAP.
“Matt rode placings for us in the Caloundra Cup and Grafton Cup so he deserved that win.”
A winner at Chantilly and a two-time winner at Maisons-Laffitte before joining the Darren Weir team, Azuro (FR) advances his record to 6 wins, 5 seconds and 4 thirds from 26 starts with earnings of $420,904.
Azuro is the best of four winners from five to race out of the winning Okawango 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 becomes the 18th stakes-winner for the former Vinery Stud and Bowness Stud shuttler Myboycharlie (IRE) (image Mark Smith) whose daughter Sistercharlie won the Grade 1 Diana Stakes at Saratoga last Saturday.
To view the race replay please click on the play button below: