Victoria Derby Winner In Matamata Exhibtion Gallop
- Wednesday, 23 December 2009 03:30
Victoria Derby winning High Chaparral colt Monaco Consul under Michael Coleman was sent out behind the stakes placed Bachelor Duke colt Prince Of Wales as they went down the back straight, with Monaco Consul wearing blinkers.
Monaco Consul closed 4L on Prince Of Wales as hey commenced the sweeping turn into the main straight, and the two matched strides until the final 100m when Monaco Consul felt the early pressure and Prince Of Wales went to the line under a hold.
"That gallop will bring him right into fitness," said Paul Moroney after the gallop.
"He is a more mature horse now, bigger and heavier, and it is a bit touch and go getting him to peak fitness and ready for the 200m at Ellerslie," he added.
Monaco Consul, to be ridden by Sydney jockey Corey Brown if he receives a clearance to ride after injuring a foot, commences a three race campaign into the Group One Telecom New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on March 6th in Saturday's NZ$200,000, Group One, WFA Zabeel Classic (2000m).
There he will meet the John Sargent trained Red Ruler (NZ) who also galloped after the Moroney pair and looked in fine form, running away from Minquar Quam in the gallop with ease.
Red Ruler, who looked to be running into form in Melbourne in the spring but ran last in the Group One Caulfield Cup over 2400m at Caulfield, returned to racing with a last finishing fifth over 1400m in an Open Handicap on December 12th.
Prince Of Wales will run in the $100,000, Group Two, The New Zealand Herald Great Northern Guineas (2100m) also looking for a run in the Derby.
Picture - Quentin Lang