Eurell bags double at Sandown

By Robert Grant

MELBOURNE, Dec 5 AAP - Trainer Greg Eurell notched a double at Sandown on Wednesday, unveiling two likely autumn contenders.

Zombie Dancer and Champagne Ruby were both sent out as favourites and the duo promptly justified the support.

Zombie Dancer ($1.60 fav) collected the Schweppes Handicap (1600m) by three lengths from Abdaan with Boogielicious third.

It was the filly's second win in succession after she outclassed her rivals to win at Cranbourne on November 23.

Eurell said he expected the promising three-year-old would continue to fulfil her potential after a rest.

"It will be interesting to see just what she can do but she's got all the ingredients at the moment to go on from this and certainly be better than what we've seen today," Eurell said.

"She's still very raw...she's a lovely filly to work with but she still just doesn't know really what she's doing.

"Ideally now I'd like to put her away and give her a break and try and focus on something a little bit stronger in the autumn."

Two races later the Eurell-trained Champagne Ruby underlined her potential when she posted her fourth career victory.

Starting the $1.60 favourite, Champagne Ruby won the D'Urban Handicap (1600m) by three lengths from Princess Mossman with Sayangku third.

The four-year-old had won at Mornington on October 10 but it was her third place at Moonee Valley two weeks ago which piqued Eurell's interest.

"Last start she got in a position she's not familiar with, she got back and had a few around her," he said.

"It was going to be interesting to see how she would handle that and she did handle it well.

"It probably gives us another dimension to work on with her - we don't have to lead and if the pace is pretty genuine and she has to settle back among them she's proved that she can."

Champagne Ruby will also be aimed at the autumn when Eurell hopes to test her over more ground.

"We'll try and progress," Eurell said.

"I think she can run 2000 metres and if she can do that, it will open it up a bit more for her."