IMPORTED galloper Southern France made amends for a disappointing run in the Melbourne Cup with an impressive victory in the Zipping Classic at Sandown on Saturday.
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Southern France, who was well backed with bookmakers, defeated Miss Siska and Chapada.
The five-year-old stallion ran 19th for Ciaron Maher in the Melbourne Cup and was a late nomination for the Zipping Classic after entries were extended on Monday for the $300,000 group two race.
Maher, who trains in partnership with David Eustace, said Southern France's run in the Melbourne Cup had to be forgotten.
"Southern France just had no luck in the Melbourne Cup," Maher told The Standard.
"There was no pace in the cup and he was caught wide. It was a forget run. We gave him a track gallop on Wednesday and he worked very well.
"I thought he would run well in the Zipping after his trackwork. There was a bit of pace on in the Zipping Classic compared to the Melbourne Cup and that helped his chances.
"We've got a few options open for Southern France, we'll let the dust settle before finalising them."
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Southern France was the second leg of a feature winning double for the Maher-Eustace stable.
Azuro beat stablemate Wall Of Fire to win the Sandown Cup.
Maher is already thinking about the group one Sydney Cup at Randwick in April for both Azuro and Wall Of Fire.
The victory is Azuro's third win in a 3200-metre race.
"Azuro has got an impressive record at the two-miles," Maher said.
"We'll give him a break and probably head onto the Sydney Cup. They are both genuine two milers and the Sydney Cup is the obvious race for them."
Top jockey Mark Zahra had the winning rides on Southern France and Azuro.
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