Ali Baba Takes Important Step Towards Classic Path

Striking Savabeel colt, Ali Baba (pictured), has given Mike Moroney and Chad Ormsby confidence they can now head down a 2000 Guineas and/or a NZ Derby path following his decisive victory in the Waharoa Livestock 1400m event over 1400m at Matamata on Saturday.

Superbly ridden by Grant ‘Ice Man’ Cooksley, Ali Baba travelled generously throughout, just in behind the leaders, and peeled out into the open when turning for home. The pressure came on and Ali Baba’s response was almost immediate as he left his rivals wanting over the concluding stages to win by a comfortable 1¾ lengths.

“We’ve always had an opinion of him, but he’s quite green and still working everything out,” co-trainer Chad Ormsby said.

“We had contemplated running him at Avondale, as we wanted to run him in blinkers, but when The Justice League came out we took our opportunity.”

Ali Baba found the step up to 1400m ideal and will only continue to improve the further he steps up in distance.

“He really relished the 1400m trip and he’s going to be even better over further and with blinkers on.”

“Mike and myself will go over a couple of options going forward, including the Gr.3 James & Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes over 1400m, and if he puts his hand up in stakes company we will look at a trip south (2000 Guineas).”

Ali Baba was selected by Paul Moroney Bloodstock at the 2014 Karaka Yearling Sales and is raced by long-time clients Barry and Deidre Neville-White, breeder Murry Jones and Ballymore Stables (Aust) Pty Ltd.

Breeder Murry Jones also bred and raced Ali Baba’s dam, Dreamworks, who was successful in winning the Gr.2 Royal Stakes, and Ali Baba’s grand-dam Slanchyvah – winner of the Listed Doomben Classic and runner-up in the Gr.1 ARC Championship Stakes.