Karpacz Remains Unbeaten

Ballymore's amazing run of winners continued at Moonee Valley on Wednesday with the lightly raced and promising Karpacz recording a particuarly gutsy victory in the Sweeney Estate Agents Handicap.

At just his second start quickly rising in class off a four length maiden victory at Echuca late last month, the handsome son of Danzero sat just off the leader in the 1600m contest and when that horse tired was left in front a fair way out.

Clear into the straight, he was tackled by Spiral who got his nose briefly in front. But Karpacz was gutsy, digging deep to make it two from two.

"It was a very good win on a pretty tough track," Michael Moroney enthused.

"He got left in front a long way out and I thought the other horse had him cold, but he really fought back."

"He is a horse who still has a little bit to learn but he has got real ability."

"He has taken a while to strengthen - he has been in and out a few times - but the penny is starting to drop now."

Jordan Childs, who was also aboard the gelding at his debut, also thought he was running for second over the final stages - "it felt like Craig (Williams) was just going to go past me but to my boy's credit he kept fighting to the line."

"Echuca was a really good win," he continued, "and it was great to see him back up today and do it again."

Bred by Carrington Park and purchased at the 2014 Melbourne Premier Sale by Paul Moroney Bloodstock, Karpacz hails from the penultimate crop of Danehill's first Golden Slipper winner Danzero.

Raced by Ballymore Stables (Aust)Pty Ltd, R & C Legh Racing Pty Ltd and Kariba Racing, he is the second foal and second winner produced by the placed Savabeel mare Li'L Miss Hayley.

"He has a lot of Savabeel about him," Moroney said.

A half-sister to the stakes placed Total Response, also trained at Ballymore, Li'L Miss Hayley hails from the family of the Irish St Leger winner Royal Diamond and her grandam is the US Group One winner Aptostar.