Racing: Well-connected Melbourne racing

Trained by Tom Dabernig, the 5-year-old gelding posted his sixth win in nine starts when jockey Matt Pumpa urged him home 1 lengths ahead of Jeteven with Johnny Fiasco a long neck away third in the Le Pine Funerals Cup (1000m) at Sandown yesterday.

Dabernig's grandfather was the legendary trainer Colin Hayes and Custodian has strong links with two of Lindsay Park's Melbourne Cup winners.

His sire Jeune won the 1994 Melbourne Cup for Dabernig's uncle David Hayes while Colin Hayes trained the 1986 winner At Talaq who is the sire of On Any Deal, the dam of Custodian.

Dabernig's father Arthur, who married Hayes' eldest daughter Jan, bred Custodian.

Arthur Dabernig once said: "I named him Custodian because he is the keeper of a great family history."

Tom Dabernig has helped educate horses at Lindsay Park and has trained a small team for the past five years. Custodian, who has also won three city races in Adelaide, is the only horse Dabernig has in work while he is assistant trainer for David Hayes.

- AAP