Moroney’s G1 Thousand Guineas countdown almost over
No one is happier than Mike Moroney that the $1.5 million Group 1 Thousand Guineas is now just days away.
The Flemington trainer has Coeur Volante heading towards the $1.5 million Group 1, with the filly having not started since winning the Thousand Guineas Prelude on October 21.
Moroney concedes it has been a juggling act keeping her at the top of her game and he elected to do that at home rather than another trip to the races, a decision he is comfortable with.
“It has been a bit of a job to keep her up, because she only had a short break in the winter and it was right in the middle of winter, too,” Moroney said.
“But she seems really good. She’s put on nice weight and looks well.”
Coeur Volante made her debut over 1000m at Sandown on May 27, finishing fourth, before winning a 1300m race at the same track on June 14.
The daughter of Proisir was then spelled before a first-up win in the Group 3 Champagne Stakes (1200m) at The Valley ahead of her Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) win.
Those two Group events secured her place towards the head of Thousand Guineas betting, but Moroney said his attention turned towards the 1600m Thousand Guineas after her maiden win.
“As soon as she won that race over 1300 we decided this was the right race for her, so we put her out,” Moroney said.
“We mapped out a bit of a plan and it was just a matter of whether we gave her a run in between, but the first two races went to script.
“Whatever she does now she’s going to be better in the autumn, but she’s quite naturally-gifted obviously and we’re looking forward to the race.”
The Thousand Guineas is one of two Group 1s to be run at Caulfield this Saturday with Moroney to be represented in the $1 million Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) by rejuvenated track specialist Buffalo River and Not An Option.
More Racing News
Blake Shinn's comeback continues with Flemington jump-outs appearance
Jockey Blake Shinn is set to reach a significant milestone in his recovery journey as he prepares to ride at the Flemington jump-outs on Friday.The Lindsay Park team, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, has booked Shinn to ride War Machine on Friday, and he also has four other...
Cold Brew defying his quirks to rack up wins
Trainer Will Freedman conceded that Cold Brew frequently errs during his races but manages to secure victories despite his tendencies."I don't know if the penny will ever drop with him, it certainly hasn't dropped yet,'' Freedman said. "But he obviously has good ability and he should be hard to beat...
Miraval Rose's early spring campaign begins at Caulfield
The Grahame Begg stable is set to commence an early spring campaign by utilising a late-season weight-for-age contest.Miraval Rose is scheduled to compete in the 1100-metre Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday, marking her return to the track since her fourth-place finish in the Group 2...
Lockwood's filly Extreme Taste faces draw challenge
Trainer Barry Lockwood initially commented that there wasn't much to say about his filly Extreme Taste "because she hasn't won yet," but upon further discussion, he is considerably more positive about her chances of success at Ipswich on Wednesday.Extreme Taste, a maiden after three starts, is set to compete in...
Sir Les refining his racecraft under Carmody's guidance
Craig Carmody is diligently working with promising three-year-old Sir Les, aiming to harness the gelding's natural talent, a skill he witnessed with the horse's dam, Everage, who also achieved stakes success.Sir Les, by All Too Hard, displayed impressive form winning his first two outings before a narrow fifth-place finish in...
Tennessee Bound to bypass Caulfield for Sandown assignment
While Tennessee Bound would likely be a leading contender for favouritism in the Caulfield race she is entered for, trainer Ciaron Maher is intent on continuing his measured approach with the undefeated mare.Consequently, the four-year-old is expected to make her next start in Wednesday's 1200-metre Evergreen Turf Handicap at Sandown.The...
Bellatrix Star's comeback looms in the Sir John Monash Stakes
Mark Walker is proceeding with caution regarding the return of the classy mare Bellatrix Star, based on his experiences with her over the past two seasons.This Saturday, the mare is expected to make her reappearance in the $200,000 Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield.The 1100-metre weight-for-age race will...
Hard Kick's preparation for major spring sprint begins
The traditional winter period typically isn't a springboard for success in the Coolmore Stud Stakes, but the Lindsay Park training team is pinning its hopes on Hard Kick.The unexposed gelding is poised to commence a campaign that has its sights set on the lucrative $2 million Group 1 sprint for...
Music Time set for Kosciuszko path in spring
Trainer Gratz Vella has confirmed that Music Time will be pointed towards The Kosciuszko during the Sydney spring carnival, foregoing the Group 1 Golden Rose for three-year-olds.Vella highlighted the irresistible appeal of The Kosciuszko for country trainers and indicated that the Golden Slipper placegetter might be better suited to the...
Tim Clark sees great potential in By Choice's return
Despite Tulloch Lodge's usual high benchmarks, their two-year-old season has been somewhat subdued. Nevertheless, their primary stable jockey, Tim Clark, anticipates that the current crop of youngsters will more than make up for lost ground as they transition to three-year-old racing.Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have seen 14 juvenile winners...