Araldo Junior's Benalla Cup

It was a big buzz for the stable to win Friday's Benalla Cup with the talented Araldo Junior - the imported galloper having many of the same owners as his much missed older half-brother Araldo.

Having just his third Australian start, the German bred lightly raced five-year-old recorded the fourth success of his eight start career and so dominant was the victory that he stamped himself as a stayer of the future.

Sound over 1400m and 1600m at his first two runs here, Araldo Junior was well placed up to 2046m in a race with little obvious speed - which is why the instructions to jockey Patrick Moloney were to get out there and make the others chase.

"We wanted to make it a real staying test," Moloney reported, adding that he was happy to get moving early - "he relaxes exceptionally well but he hits a flat spot and we wanted get him through that early so he could find the line."

Already well in front as he made his way through his gears, Araldo Junior was lengths in front at the turn, the race never in any doubt.

"He lobbed along really nicely," Moloney said, "and he reeled off some strong sectionals."

Labelling Araldo Junior as a horse to follow over longer trips, Moloney said that "he relaxes in the run, conserves energy and sustains a strong gallop."

Michael Moroney was delighted with the win, saying that the Benalla Cup was a test to see if Araldo Junior would progress through the spring or head to the paddock to be given more time to acclimatize.

"We have no firm plans but if he pulls up well we will have a look at what is next for him," he said.

The stable has been in great form of late and we are looking for that to continue over the weekend, kicking off with the talented Loyalty Man in the Gr.2 Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday evening.

Drawn nicely in barrier five for Damian Browne, the well related Fastnet Rock three-year-old has raced only twice, finishing on nicely both times for eye-catching placings.

Whilst still a maiden, Loyalty Man is a horse with plenty of talent and Moroney has been pleased with his progress since his last run.

"He has just kept improving," he said, noting that he has matured from an "untrainable colt" to a more sensible gelding.

"It has just taken him a while to put things together and put his mind 100% on the job but he is a very talented horse who can win this race."

Speaking of talented - our classy filly Misty Waters is our sole Saturday runner at Caulfield and we are looking for a bold showing from her fresh.

"We have just been taking our time with her this time in as she has been a big light and her coat has been taking a while to come through."

"She was very good first up and we have kept her fresh. On her best form she is the one to beat."

Sunday is a busier day with three runners at Flemington starting with the exciting Tivaci in the Listed UCI (Super Impose) Stakes.

An impressive debut winner unlucky not to again salute second up - "if he had have gone straight he would've won" - Tivaci is considered by Moroney "one of our very talented three-year-olds."

"We have put the winkers on to help him out and he looks a big chance with Damien Oliver aboard."

Stayer Mister Impatience is second up in the Gr.3 The Bart Cummings and we are really hoping he gets a run in order to fit in with his spring/summer programme, one which is aimed at the big staying races in New Zealand.

"If he doesn't make the field he can go to the Herbert Power at Caulfield."

Yesterday's Songs is the third of our Flemington trio, due to take his place in the Listed Paris Lane Stakes and we have tried something different with him since his last unplaced run.

"He was disappointing there, uncontrollable for the jockey in the run. But he was fresh that day so we have kept the work up to him this time and hopefully that will be the answer."