Kettle Hill breaks long drought at Moonee Valley

David Eustace will be able to head to Hong Kong content that Kettle Hill has broken through for his maiden win in Australia.

Kettle Hill took out the Mitty’s Handicap (2040m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday to land his first victory since scoring in the UK at Sandown in September 2021.

Eustace, who trains in partnership with Ciaron Maher, announced during the week that he was leaving Australia to take up a training position in Hong Kong next year.

Kettle Hill is part-owned by UK trainer William Haggas , one of Eustace’s father’s best friends, and Eustace was pleased to see the gelding finally cross the line in first place.

Ridden by Irish jockey Dylan Brown McMonagle, Kettle Hill ($4.80) gained a narrow split in the straight to score from Starspangled Baby ($5.50) with Samedi ($6.50) in third place with leading betting sites.

“It’s a big relief,” Eustace said.

“There was a bit of pressure on this horse. There is a certain William Haggas in the ownership, and I was getting a fair bit of abuse from him last week.

“He is one of my dad’s best mates, and I couldn’t have possibly left without winning a race for him.

“He kept the faith and so have Australian Bloodstock, not that we lost faith in any way, but it has taken a while to work out how to ride this horse.”

Eustace praised the ride of McMonagle who was able to get Kettle Hill to settle early in the race.

McMonagle deliberately missed the start on gelding and had him settled at the tail of the field.

“It was an absolutely superb ride from Dylan who is an impressive young man and rides very well,” Eustace said.

“Ciaron said to me after Flemington, when he ran well but didn’t finish his race off, let’s ride him dead cold and see how he runs.

“He was good at Ballarat but didn’t settle quite as well, but Dylan got him relax beautifully today.

“He needed luck. The horse was brave, the jockey was brave, and he got his head in front on the line.”