Low gate key for Australian Guineas placegetter
Japanese Emperor has already demonstrated an ability to run a big race a whopping price on Australian Guineas Day and Mike Moroney thinks a low barrier gives him a chance to do so again this Saturday.
The Satono Aladdin four-year-old will contest the $130,000 Good Friday Appeal Plate at Flemington.
He hasn’t won since his debut, 14 starts ago, and hasn’t placed since his third in last year’s Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes, which followed another third placing in the Australian Guineas at $101, but Moroney said he has not had things gone his way this campaign.
Japanese Emperor has drawn seven of nine, seven of 11, six of eight, nine of 10 and 11 of 12 at his past five starts, where his best results have been a couple of fifth placings.
One of those came at his most recent start, at Flemington on February 17, which has Moroney buoyant after coming up with gate two for Saturday’s 1600m event.
“He’s been drawing off the track but he’s finally drawn a gate and that should make a big difference,” Moroney said.
“We’ll ride him a little bit handier, so hopefully that’ll make a difference because we won’t have to ride him right back.
“His last two runs have better, without a doubt.”
Japanese Emperor is a $31 chance in a market dominated by odds-on favourite Another Wil, who is chasing a hat-trick of wins after 3-1/2-length and 3-1/4 lengths wins at his past two starts.
Moroney has two hopes of going a couple of spots better than Japanese Emperor did in the Guineas, with The Pendragon and Run Harry Run to contest this year’s $1 million Group 1, but the market suggests the Flemington trainer’s best chance of a win comes up in the $80,000 VRC Punters Club Sprint.
Big Watch is chasing back-to-back Flemington wins after running down Ouroboros last start and that colt is an $11 chance in the $1 million Inglis Sprint on the same card.
“He quickened up nicely the other day, he got back to last and was going backwards at the time, but then we got in the clear he picked them up quickly.”
“I thought her won really well. There’s no reason why he can’t win again.”
Jamie Mott retains the ride on Big Watch with Daniel Stackhouse to partner Japanese Emperor.
More Racing News
Adelaide hosts Niance's campaign launch
Grahame Begg, the trainer, is travelling to Adelaide featuring his capable mare Niance, potentially opening doors to a Brisbane-focused campaign for the quick runner.Since Flemington lacks fitting sprint races for Niance on Saturday, Begg chooses the Group 3 John Hawkes Stakes (1100m) held at Morphettville.By chance, Flemington's Anzac Day schedule...
Cap Ferrat set for reunion with Williams in Queen Elizabeth II Cup
The top jockey Craig Williams seeks to conclude a demanding weekend on a high note with a Group 1 win in Hong Kong, reuniting with 2025 Hong Kong Derby champion Cap Ferrat in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin come April 26.On Saturday, Williams boasts almost a...
Recon hands Carey elusive Hareeba Stakes success
Pat Carey, the hometown conditioner, has banished his Hareeba Stakes hoodoo after Recon unleashed a dazzling closing effort to take out the prize at Mornington.Carey had endured ongoing frustration in the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m), pursuing a victory across several campaigns, notably second with Kelthorpe in 2006 and third via...
All Aged Stakes delivers Beiwacht's second elite victory
Hall of Fame conditioner Chris Waller's unbeaten autumn dominance in Sydney received a fitting finale from Godolphin's Beiwacht, who powered to a determined lead-all-the-way success versus a elite opposition in the Group 1 $1.5 million All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.In addition, Waller filled the first two...
Mornington Cup win gives Kings Valley direct entry to Caulfield Cup
Kings Valley, under the guidance of trainer Ciaron Maher, has clinched a ballot exemption for the Caulfield Cup courtesy of a gritty performance at Mornington.The Listed Mornington Cup conquest on Saturday delivers the 'Golden Ticket' access to the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) scheduled for October.Maher notched his second Mornington...
Pride stable trifecta topped by Mazu in Hall Mark Stakes
At eight years old, the exceptional Mazu maintains his sharp turn of foot and zest for competition, setting the tempo wire-to-wire for his third consecutive triumph in Saturday's Group 3 $250,000 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m).Previously, Pride's star had mastered the Hall Mark on rain-affected surfaces where he excels, but facing...
Waller's record Sydney autumn run ends with Fireball edging Champagne Stakes
Chris Waller, the celebrated Hall of Fame trainer, notched a historic Sydney Saturday Group 1 sweep as Fireball got the better of stable companion Campione D'Italia in Saturday's $1 million Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick.The autumn carnival's eighth straight (and last) Sydney Saturday of Group 1 races saw Waller...
JRA Plate victory confirms Asterix at his sharpest
The win by Asterix stood out as somewhat surprising compared to Waller's earlier triumphs, given the progressive eight-year-old gelding was dispatched at $16 into the race.Having captured the New Zealand Derby four years back, Asterix lost momentum for a period before flashing his class last summer with a win in...
Strong Frank Packer Plate win boosts Matias for Queensland Derby
With a powerful victory in the Group 3 $250,000 Frank Packer Plate (2000m), Matias has positioned himself firmly in the Queensland Derby picture.Stablemate Snitzel Dancer had triumphed in the Group 3 Carr Stakes only 35 minutes beforehand.Snitzel, under Ryan's guidance, took out an Oakleigh Plate before retiring to Arrowfield Stud,...
Snitzel Dancer's stakes win opens door to Queensland Oaks campaign
Trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou's belief in Snitzel Dancer was rewarded as the filly claimed her first stakes victory in the Group 3 $250,000 James HB Carr Stakes (1400m).The trainer was puzzled by the filly's efforts in back-to-back Warwick Farm appearances that launched her season.Yet, her dominant Hawkesbury performance...