Monaco Consul pleases first up - and pulls up well

Monaco Consul has pulled up very well from his pleasing return to racing in the Liston Stakes last Saturday.

Jumping from barrier one in the Gr.2 event, the high class four-year-old ended up in the slower part of the track – railing as the placegetters swooped out wide.

“He got stuck in quicksand!” joked Michael Moroney who was nevertheless very happy with Monaco Consul’s close up sixth.

He was also taken with the run of the Melbourne Cup bound mare Fairfield Flame (pictured) who was a first up sixth in the mares 1400m event – running on well over the final stages.

“A fast pace may have flattered those who ran on,” Moroney conceded, “but she ran better than we expected and she has come through it really well.”

The stable saddles up just the one runner at the Geelong meeting on Wednesday, Blue Sky Girl taking her place in the 1300m Showcase event.

Close up at recent outings, she strips hard fit and looks very well placed after running fourth in stronger city grade last start.

“She has run a couple of nice races and this a nice race for her,” said Moroney – “she should prove hard to beat.”

Thursday is a busier day with three runners in consecutive races at Bendigo.

First off the mark is Pointe Dancer who lines up in the fillies and mares Class 1 Showcase.

“She has been struggling a little bit this time in,” Moroney admitted, “but she strips fitter now and she has some nice form around her. We’ll be disappointed if she can’t start showing some form now.”

A horse the stable has plenty of time for contests the following event, the 1500m –62 handicap. Don Sebastian, a son of High Chaparral who won his maiden so impressively last time out.

“We have got a really good opinion of him,” Moroney said. “The only question mark is the heavy going but he got through the slow conditions last time.”

Viallico, a middle distance galloper having his first run for us, is in the final event, a 1300m 0 – 68.

“He has early form over shorter trips and later over longer,” said Moroney, “so he is an interesting runner. He had a jump-out at Flemington recently and we were happy with how he went.”