Casey, a former part-owner of Lazarus, has purchased a majority share in Otago horse of the year Eamon Maguire from Brian Sceats, of Mosgiel. Eamon Maguire’s former trainer and part-owner, Graeme Anderson, facilitated the deal, Casey said."It just came about that Brian wanted to sell and Graeme offered me a share and offered the other owners a chance to increase their percentages."Casey joins Pauline Gillan, of Winton, Ray Chalklin and Tony Gow, of Mosgiel, and Stephen Pulley, of Dunedin, in the horse’s ownership.
The sale of Casey’s two-time New Zealand Cup winner Lazarus, who was co-bred by Gavin Chin, of Dunedin, has contributed to a gaping hole at the top of the New Zealand open-class ranks.
Eamon Maguire made massive strides towards being a genuine open-class threat at the end of last season with group 1 wins in the New Zealand Messenger Championship and the 4yr-old male section of the Harness Jewels.
Casey is hopeful the Art Major 5yr-old can step up again and cement himself as an open class contender.
"The open class ranks are pretty open. There are no standouts; there are no Lazaruses there any more.
"He has obviously proved himself against the best 4yr-olds around last season, so there is no reason to say he won’t step up again."
Eamon Maguire spelled in Waikato following his Harness Jewels win and has returned south in fine order before his New Zealand Cup preparation, Casey said.
"He is probably a couple of weeks away from the trials. He is coming to hand very nicely. He looks really good."
