John Moloney veteran on the march to Caulfield

Trainer John Moloney has seen enough in the past two starts from Legionnaire that the gelding still wants to be a racehorse.

A veteran of 45 starts, including a Stakes race win as a three-year-old, Legionnaire heads to the Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Legionnaire has posted successive third place finishes at Sandown and Moloney has been impressed with the gelding’s fight, especially in his latest outing on December 6.

Sooled to the front by Teo Nugent, who takes the ride again on Saturday, Legionnaire toughed it out well to the line, beaten 1-¾ lengths behind the ultra-consistent Who Dares.

“That was as good as he has gone for a long time,” Moloney said.

“I liked the ride by Teo. He got him out, got him busy from a wide draw and he took up the running.

“And it was a positive effort by the horse, and he stayed on to finish in money.

“I think the run has brightened him up a bit. It certainly didn’t do him any harm and it tuned him up that he’s here to be a racehorse.”

Legionnaire looked to have a bright career ahead of himself when he won the Listed Exford Plate (1400m) at Flemington in the spring of 2019.

The then three-year-old broke through for his maiden victory that day having been placed in three of his previous five starts in maiden company.

After one more start as a three-year-old, finishing fourth in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley, Legionnaire spent 13 months away from the racetrack.

The second of the gelding’s four wins did not come until January 2022 while wins three and four were posted in January and March this year.

“When he beat Snapdancer in a Listed race at Flemington we thought we may be in for some good times,” Moloney said.

“But unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to get back to that level, but there were some really nice signs last time.”