Moroney Previews His Ten Sunday Runners

Friday, 20 September 2002 00:00

Flemington based trans-Tasman trainer Michael Moroney will be one of the busiest trainers at Caulfield’s sizzling day of racing on Sunday.

The Melbourne Cup and Blue Diamond Stakes winner mentor will saddle up no less than ten runners on a day in which two Group One events will be run.

Moroney, a premiership winning native New Zealander, profiled his runners for Cyberhorse on the eve of a huge weekend of racing.

Race 1 – Venus Was Her Name
She was a bit unlucky first up the other day. I have a good opinion of her and she performed well early on in New Zealand. Would be probably better suited over a bit further than 1400 metres, but I have decided to keep her back for this. Had a good barrier and I’m expecting her to be hard to beat.

Race 2 – Taimana
May have been a bit disappointing when she went to Adelaide. She seems to race much better when she is fresh, like she was when she won down the straight at Flemington in her first Australian start. I was happy with a recent jump out she had at Flemington.

Race 3 – Tequila Knowledge
She wasn’t that far away at Flemington the other day. Her form in Queensland was good and she is a pretty good filly, but I’m not sure she is going to be good enough for this lot. If she doesn’t run that well in this then I will tip her out and bring her back for the autumn. She may be better at that time of the year.

Race 5 – Pernod
This is a very good mare. She has a great record at Caulfield and if the track is a little soft under foot then she will be ideally suited. Hasn’t ran a place at Group One level but she wasn’t far away from some good horses in Queensland in unsuitable conditions. She is also better going left handed.

Race 6 – The Big Ask
Sunday will be his first go at weight-for-age and it (the race) is a very strong race. He has been finding the line well in recent starts. He might not be bred to get over much ground, but he is indicating he is going to get there. The Caulfield Cup is the race I have picked out for him. If he runs in the first five I’d think he’s on target for that.

Race 7 – The Secondmortgage
Talented horse who is going to strip much fitter this time around – probably close to his best. Has plenty of potential and has a good barrier. Has pleased in his work and he is on track to feature in some of the feature races over the rest of the spring.

Race 7 – Maythehorsebewithu
He is probably still one run short of anywhere near his best. I’d be expecting him to be making up some ground at the end – but he should run better next start. But he would come right back into calculations if he got a lot of rain and the track ended up between slow and heavy.

Race 8 – Sound the Alarm
This is his first start for me and his work has been okay. He hasn’t settled in all that well which is a bit disappointing. He’s a Group One winner in New Zealand so there’s no doubting his ability. Ran well at his last start without the best of luck.

Race 8 – Feel the Noise
I’d say he’d have to be the best out of my three runners in the race. I don’t think the (bad) barrier will worry him as he likes to have plenty of galloping room. A real professional racehorse who looks one of my better chances for the day.

Race 8 – Let’s Planet
May need this (run). He normally needs a run and I’m not totally sure he is forward enough yet. I’d be suggesting you wait for his next start. A proven performer.

PICS - Quentin Lang.