David Eustace can leave for Hong Kong with his mind at ease after Kettle Hill landed a breakthrough Australian win that also enhanced the reputation of a visiting Irish jockey.

Eustace was a relieved co-trainer as Kettle Hill burst between horses under Dylan Browne McMonagle to snatch the Mitty's Handicap at Moonee Valley.

Kettle Hill had been a source of stable frustration after going winless in 10 starts since debuting on Australian soil 12 months.

It was a sequence not lost on one of Kettle Hill's owners, leading British trainer William Haggas.

"Bit of pressure on this horse," Eustace revealed.

"If you look at the ownership, a certain William Haggas is in it and I was getting a fair bit of abuse last week from him."

"He's one of my Dad's best mates and I couldn't possibly have left without winning a race for him.

"I'm glad he kept the faith ... not that we had lost faith in any way but it had taken a while to work out how to ride him."

Eustace has been granted a licence to train in Hong Kong and he will end his hugely successful partnership with Ciaron Maher at the end of January.

Kettle Hill was the lesser-fancied of two Maher-Eustace runners but started a solid second favourite at $4.80 behind barnmate Matron Bullwinkle ($3.70).

It was left to Browne McMonagle to extract the best out of Kettle Hill as he drove the import through a gap to win in a driving finish.

Browne McMonagle is a young rider on the move in Ireland and he has already proven his worth during a stint with one of Australia's most influential stables.

The 20-year-old, who completed his apprenticeship under Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Joseph O'Brien, has ridden more than 200 winners, a tally that includes a Group 1 success.

McMonagle's ride on Kettle Hill was as precise as it was daring after saving ground and waiting for the tightest of runs in the home straight.