Extra distance key to Esky

Esky showed his staying potential at Hawkesbury on Saturday afternoon when the three-year-old made a successful middle-distance debut.

The well-related Waikato Stud graduate had placed in three of his previous seven appearances and relished the step up to 2000 metres.

The Chris Waller-trained son of Savabeel lobbed along in seventh spot one off the fence and was on the move before the turn.

Esky produced a sustained finish down the outside for rider Jay Ford to wear his rivals down.

He was bred by the Matamata farm with Gary Wallace and was purchased at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Waller and bloodstock agent Guy Mulcaster for A$200,000.

A brother to the Listed Rowley Mile winner Savacool, Esky is a son of the unraced Anabaa mare Chilled Out and she is a half-sister to stakes winner and Group 1 performer The Big Chill from the family of the multiple Group 2 winner Coldplay.