DOMINANT QUEENSLAND CUP VICTORY FOR ARALDO JUNIOR

Araldo Junior (6yo g Medicean x Alanda) provided us with a sensational display of endurance in the Listed Queensland Cup (3200m) on Saturday when bolting home for a magnificent victory in the hands of Michael Cahill.

The German import jumped well and ran handy on the rail before making his move in the straight to win by three lengths on what was his first crack over the two miles.

What made the win even sweeter was how this super composed stayer didn’t let the issue of a tough road trip up to the Sunshine Coast get in the way of his job. Araldo Junior and his handlers were caught in a two-and-a-half-hour traffic jam at the Gold Coast, en route from Sydney; which made the already long trip particularly taxing for everyone involved.

Trainer Mike Moroney says it was his galloper’s easy-going, relaxed nature that allowed him to just get on with the task at hand.

“Within six hours he was right, he's such a laidback character who doesn't worry about too much. He's a real stable favourite, the staff just love this horse," Moroney reports.

"I was impressed with how he won with so much authority," Moroney continued.

"Now that we know he gets that distance, the likely targets for him will be the Auckland Cup – worth three-quarters-of-a-million dollars – before returning to contest the Sydney Cup. He does want some give in the ground and they are two races that are normally run on rain-affected tracks."

A Paul Moroney Bloodstock selection, Araldo Junior carries the colours of Rupert & Cheryl Legh and is owned by a terrific group of long-time stable clients.

Congratulations to winning connections R & C Legh Racing Pty Ltd, G Ryan, B Mathieson, R Smith, G G Ltd, F Palazzo, S Agisilaou, K & Mrs D Good & W Richardson.