The Goodwood is an Option for Moroney sprinter

Posted by RS NewsWire at 9:35pm on May 19th
Not An Option is aiming to overcome a luckless run in last year's Goodwood when he returns to Adelaide for the Group 1 sprint

Not An Option is aiming to overcome a luckless run in last year's Goodwood when he returns to Adelaide for the Group 1 sprintTrainer Mike Moroney is banking on a course of dressage having the desired effect on Not An Option when he travels to Adelaide for The Goodwood.

Not An Option will be going into Saturday's Group 1 1200m sprint at Morphettville having not raced in four weeks after finishing third behind Jigsaw in the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) at Mornington.

Moroney said he had used dressage often with his horses as a way of freshening their mind from the rigours of the stable environment.

"He came back into the stable last week," Moroney said.

"We had a bit of time between runs, so it gave us an opportunity to do something different with him."

Moroney explained jockey Jake Noonan's partner, who rides trackwork at his Flemington stable, has worked with Not An Option on his dressage.

"They've got a property down Mornington way," Moroney said.

"She has ridden work for me for years and she takes a lot of our retired ones, does them up and then sells them on and she's a very good show rider.

"He (Not An Option) loves it and it's a bit of a change for him. He'd been in the stable for a while and had done a bit of racing, so we often do a bit of dressage with him for a bit of a change."

Not An Option defeated Cardinal Gem and Pinstriped over 1400m at Flemington in March before finding the soft conditions against him when fifth in the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) at Sandown last month, before producing his placing at Mornington.

Moroney still has memories of last year's Goodwood when Not An Option finished sixth behind Lombardo, beaten 3-¾ lengths.

"He was pretty luckless in it last year and I don't think it is a stronger version this year," Moroney said.

"He certainly deserves his chance, especially if he can get some good ground. He's come back well and we're hoping he might have a bit of luck this time around."

More Racing News

Pembrey set to back-up strong Silver Shadow Stakes run in Furious Stakes

Leading Brisbane conditioner Tony Gollan is aiming for Pembrey to replicate her dazzling Silver Shadow Stakes performance when she contests the subsequent event of the four-race Princess Series at Randwick.The three-year-old filly was commanding when leading all the way a fortnight ago. However, with formidable opponents such as the $5.6...

Today

Obucci targets Adelaide success on firmer ground

The Phillip and Tommy Stokes stable has relocated Obucci to Adelaide with the objective of securing another city win.Obucci is slated to participate in the Adelaide Galvanising Industries Handicap (1250m) at Morphettville Parks this coming Saturday, with Noel Callow assigned as the rider.Phillip Stokes explained that Obucci was transferred from...

Today

Trainer Matthew Smith confident Headwall is ready for Concorde Stakes

It's not every day a horse aims for consecutive victories in the same race when starting anew, but Headwall is in that exact scenario as he prepares to kick off his campaign in the Concorde Stakes at Randwick.Having delivered a stunning performance to win the $1 million sprint a year...

Today

Oh Diamond Lil poised for Mona Lisa Stakes return, says King

Despite her quirky nature, stakes winner Oh Diamond Lil is considered by jockey Rachel King to be in the correct frame of mind for a return to top form in the Mona Lisa Stakes at Wyong. King partnered the David Pfieffer-trained mare for her most significant triumph in the Group...

Yesterday

Grander ambitions for Walker's Sandown victor

Tolaga Bay is slated for a Black Type assignment after an impressive winning return at Sandown, continuing her undefeated streak.The Mark Walker-trained filly, by Alabama Express, triumphed in the Sportsbet Blackbook Handicap over 1300 metres on Wednesday.Potential targets for the filly include the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at...

Yesterday

Sing Your Song on track for Flight Stakes after Warwick Farm win

Chris Waller has the Group 1 Flight Stakes on his radar for the well-bred filly Sing Your Song, following her stylish victory in a race that has proven to be a significant spring carnival launching pad.The trainer, usually hesitant to start horses from wide draws, explained that his decision to...

Yesterday

Chilly Girl set to bring the heat to Furious Stakes rivals

A thrilling showdown is anticipated in the upcoming Furious Stakes, featuring Rosebud winner Chilly Girl and Silver Shadow Stakes champion Pembrey, as the early form for three-year-old fillies continues to solidify.Both fillies have made strong impressions this spring. Chilly Girl displayed grit to defeat Blue Door in the Rosebud (1100m),...

Yesterday

Giga Kick ready to launch spring campaign in Moir Stakes

It has been almost four years since Giga Kick and Clayton Douglas were the celebrated duo of Australian racing.The pair captured The Everest at Randwick in October 2022, and in the following autumn, they triumphed in the All-Aged Stakes and Doomben 10,000. During this period, Giga Kick was also awarded...

Yesterday

Pride's leading spring contenders to debut at Randwick

Trainer Joe Pride is poised to introduce his stable's major spring contenders en masse at Randwick, with four Group 1 winners slated to race, prominently featuring the top weight-for-age performer Ceolwulf.The two-time King Charles III Stakes champion is scheduled to compete in Saturday's Chelmsford Stakes (1600m). Concurrently, Headley Grange and...

Yesterday

Melbourne Cup 2026: 101 nominations received

The Victoria Racing Club has received 101 entries for the upcoming 166th Melbourne Cup, a 3200m race scheduled at Flemington on November 3.Despite a dip in overall nominations from previous years, international interest has grown, with 23 horses nominated from four nations: England, Ireland, Japan, and the USA.Last year, 2025,...

Sep 1st