A celebration of the training partnership between Ciaron Maher and David Eustace has been capped with Brave Mead's win in the Group 3 Manfred Stakes at Caulfield.

Residual fitness from a relatively short time between racing stints after the 2023 spring carnival the colt by Japanese-bred stallion Brave Smash register his fourth win in 10 starts to add to five minor placings.

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

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

The all-conquering stable held a farewell party on Thursday night for co-trainer David Eustace, who ends his association with Maher after Saturday's racing.

Eustace has been granted a licence to train in Hong Kong next season.

Brave Mead was taken on for the lead by the $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 said.

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

Brave Mead finished a 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 to $11.