Affaire A Suivre Prevails in South Australasian Oaks

Talented filly Affaire A Suivre overcame a horror draw to win the South Australasian Oaks (G1) at Morphettville Racecourse April 29 and in the process handed co-trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace their first win in the time-honored group 1, while the powerful partnership was tasting elite-level success for the eighth time this campaign.

Ridden by Johnny Allen, the daughter of Astern  showed she was a genuine contender for the group 1 when she landed the Port Adelaide Guineas April 15.

However, Maher and Eustace's confidence in the filly must have suffered a significant blow when she was drawn in the widest barrier in 16, but the filly stayed on bravely all the way to the line to beat She's Fit by a head. The winner's stablemate, Jennilala (AUS), was another length and a quarter away in third.  

Prior to the running of the group 1, there was a minute of silence held in memory of Dean Holland and Allen dedicated his 18th group 1 triumph to the late jockey, with the pair having formed a close bond while isolating in South Australia during the pandemic.

"It was three years ago down here I became close friends with him, we had to isolate through Covid with him," Allen told Racing.com.

"Ever since then we became close friends and you couldn't have picked a better family to spend two weeks locked in a house with, really enjoyed their company.

"It was hard to believe, looking at the big screen and looking at all his success to think he's gone; it's a hard one to take."

Maher was on hand at Morphettville and said Affaire A Suivre would be given the option to chase more group 1 glory in the Queensland Oaks (G1) June 3.

"We always didn't mind her, but you can see she's such a big scopey filly," said Maher. "She just needed that time and she's really come into her own this preparation, put the writing on the wall last start.

"We had the visitors draw but Johnny (Allen), I'll have to watch it again, I think he did cover a fair bit of ground. I think she's got a really bright future, she'll probably go further. She may even end up in Queensland."

Maher and Eustace have enjoyed another brilliant season with the filly becoming the partnership's eighth group 1 of the season, joining Melbourne Cup (G1) winner Gold Trip, Sydney Cup (G1) scorer Explosive Jack (AUS), Manikato Stakes (G1) triumphant Bella Nipotina, and Smokin' Romans, who won the Turnbull Stakes (G1).

Snapdancer handed the partnership its first group 1 of the season when she landed the Memsie Stakes (G1) and Coolangatta provided the co-trainers with victories in the Moir Stakes (G1) and Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (G1).

Affaire A Suivre was purchased by First Light Racing, Paul Willetts, Ciaron Maher Racing, and David Eustace for NZ$75,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale in 2021. The filly is out of placed mare Laurelling, who is the dam of four winners, including listed winner Laure Me In.