Erno’s Cube (AUS)
2 f Rubick – Long Wink by Stratum
O: T Mills, Pumpkin Island, Mr D J O’Connor, Mrs H J O’Connor, Mr D J Canny, Mr B J Kirkwood, The Second Coming, Skob Dog 1, Skob Dog 2, Mr G Mulcahy
B: Daleigh Park Livestock
T: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace
S: Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale V: Edinglassie Thoroughbreds P: Ciaron Maher Bloodstock, $230,000
W: Max Lees Classic, 900m, November 18, Newcastle
Having finished just eighth of ten on debut in September’s Gimcrack Stakes (Gr 3, 1000m), the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Erno’s Cube (Rubick) bounced back in impressive style to score in last Saturday’s Max Lees Classic (900m) at Newcastle, propelling her into contention for the next January’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic (RL, 1200m).
The juvenile daughter of Rubick (Encosta De Lago) produced a powerful last 100 metres to pull away by two and a quarter lengths over the James Cummings-trained pair Efharisto (Blue Point) and Gram (Exceed And Excel). Her time of 50.79 seconds eclipsed Tilia Rose’s (Written Tycoon) 51.05 seconds class record set in the 2019 edition of the Max Lees Classic.
“She has always been showing plenty,” Maher and Eustace’s racing manager Johann Gerard-Dubord said. “Leading into the Gimcrack, she trialled very well but she drew wide and we just had to ask her a little bit early and then she just over-raced a touch.
“We gave her a bit of time after that and went back to the trials and rode her a little bit quieter just to give her a good experience. The way she was drawn today [3] worked out perfectly. She was able to come out neutral in a pretty hot speed and was able to find the back of the favourite.”
Purchased by Maher for $230,000 from Edinglassie Thoroughbreds draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Erno’s Cube is out of the unraced Stratum (Redoute’s Choice) mare Long Wink.
Long Wink herself is out Listed winner Romare (Marscay), who is also the dam of stakes scorer Eramor (Stratum).
In 2022, the mare produced a filly by Newgate Farm-based sire North Pacific (Brazen Beau) and was covered by Widden Stud’s Jacquinot (Rubick).