Ciaron Maher and Dave Eustace celebrate late partnership winner at Caulfield.

A celebration the night before of the final days of the training partnership between Ciaron Maher and David Eustace was capped by the Australia Day feature race win of Brave Mead in the Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.

A consistent performer through the Spring Racing Carnival, Brave Mead ($5) finished of his springtime campaign with a second placing in the Group 3 Blue Sapphire Stakes over 1400-metres on November 18.

Residual fitness from a relatively short time between racing stints saw the colt by Japanese stallion Brave Smash register his fourth win in 10 starts to add to five minor placings.

"Brave Mead is super and a great ride by Blake Shinn," Maher said.

"He's been a great little horse and I said to Blake to take the luck out of it and roll along.

"He took the bit between his teeth early and that was the winning move."

Brave Mead was taken on for the lead early on $2.20 favourite and Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) aspirant Steparty, but the refusal of that colt to settle earlier in the run saw him taper off late to finish third.

Maher noted the performance of second-placed stablemate King Colorado ($11) as promising towards the Guineas at Flemington on March 2.

"King Colorado was also super and it was great to see him return like that," Maher added of the Group 1 JJ Atkins Stakes (1600m) winner at Eagle Farm last June

"I think Flemington will really suit him where I think we'll keep Brave Mead to the sprint trips."

Brave Mead finished one-length ahead of King Colorado with Steparty a further length away in third.

King Colorado is the $6 favourite for the Australian Guineas while Steparty has eased out to $11.