Well-fancied when unplaced in the Gimcrack Stakes in September, the Rubick filly Erno's Cube made no mistake at start two when defeating a good-looking field of youngsters in Saturday's Max Lees Classic (900m) at Newcastle.
Ridden by Jason Collett for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Erno's Cube tracked the early speed set by Efharisto and Market Magic. After levelling up at the 100m, the Rubick filly drew clear to defeat the Blue Point (IRE) filly Efharisto by two and a quarter lengths with a head back to stablemate Gram (Exceed and Excel), which came from last to finish third.
Ciaron Maher Bloodstock purchased Erno's Cube for $230,000 from the Edinglassie Thoroughbred draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord said the Calaway Gal Stakes, followed by the Magic Millions 2yo Classic, is the likely path Erno's Cube will take.
.Jason Collett said the winner had taken quite a bit from a recent barrier trial.
"The barrier assisted us. She had a trial after disappointing in the Gimcrack. She did things right in the trial and replicated that today," Collett said.
Bred by Daleigh Park Livestock, Erno's Cube is the second winner from three to race for the unraced Stratum mare Long Wink, a sister to the Listed MRC Debutant Stakes winner Eramor, and to the dam of the multiple stakes-winners Emerald kingdom and Steel Frost.
A daughter of the Listed Dark Jewel Classic winner Romare (Marscay), Long Wink has suffered misfortune in the last two seasons, with her North Pacific foal dying after birth in 2021 and missing last spring.
