Two Gr.1 runners at Rosehill

Pleasing us with his consistent form this preparation, Mr Baritone has been in the placings at all three outings – flashing home late first up in the Listed Hareeba Stakes at Mornington before game thirds in the Gr.3 Liverpool City Cup and the Gr.3 Canterbury Stakes.

 

Always competitive, Mr Baritone will appreciate the return to a rain affected surface on Saturday – the Rosehill track likely to be at least slow. It was on such going that the classy chestnut won the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap and he has always been that little bit better with the jar out.

 

“It is a hot field,” Michael Moroney conceded, “but he has been going very well – even on firmer tracks.”

Also in fine shape is Divine Rebel who was second in last year’s Sydney Cup on a slow track.

 

Again aimed at that race, she will relish the step up to 2400m this Saturday.

 

“Her runs at 2000m have been as good as we could’ve hoped,” said Moroney, “and she is now at her right distance.”

 

We also have two runners at the Caulfield meeting, starting off with the promising Golden Jaguar in the Bill Collins Handicap over 1800m.

 

Coming off a smart maiden victory at Ballarat, Golden Jaguar has always shown distance potential and the step up to 1800m will suit.

 

“The further he goes, the better he will get,” said Moroney. “His maiden win was nice and hopefully he will run up to his breeding.”

A $250,000 Karaka yearling, Golden Jaguar is from one of Australasia’s finest families – that of the big race winners Grosvenor, National Gallery, Mahaya, Niello and Lonhro.

 

Rising in class is the lightly raced Beatboy who is having a crack at the $125,000 Gr.3 Easter Cup. He has impressed winning his last two in easy style and although back in distance, we rate him a chance.

“Craig Williams said last start that he wouldn’t think coming back in distance would be a problem for him.”

“We are throwing him into the deep end a bit but he has drawn nicely and it will be a chance to see where he lies.”

 

Going well enough to win the Stawell Cup on Sunday is St Ives but we just have to hope he gets a run as third emergency.

 

“It will be disappointing if he doesn’t get in,” said Moroney, “as it looks a really nice race for him and he has finally drawn a good gate.”

Just the one runner at Moonee Valley on Easter Monday, Across The Moon looking to go one better after a somewhat unlucky second at the same track last start.

 

“She didn’t start as well as she normally does and she got into a bit of tight position. Once clear she ran on nicely but the winner had already got away on her.”

Barrier 11 is of some concern for the well related daughter of Stratum but “she does have good gate speed and she comes in well after Jordan Mallyon’s claim.”

 

The Moroney stable wishes everyone the very best for Easter – and may you find plenty of winners!