FEATURE RACE RUNNERS FOR THE TEAM ON SATURDAY

Two runners for the stable on Saturday and Mike Moroney is banking on his knowledge of Parsifal’s pedigree in assessing his chances in Saturday’s $120,000 Mornington Guineas (1600m).

Parsifal (pictured) is closely related to our 2008 Group I Stradbroke Handicap winner Mr Baritone and Moroney says the three-year-old shares a common trait with his relative.

“He’s a casual horse on the track, he’s not the flashest worker and saves himself for race day - Mr Baritone was the same,” Moroney said.

“We also trained Della Lobra, Parsifal’s mother and a half-sister to Mr Baritone - she was the same.”

Parsifal has won his last two starts at Ballarat over 1400m, racing on speed both times, and Moroney contemplated a gear change for Saturday’s race.

“He’s coming off two nice wins and I toyed with the idea of putting blinkers on him to sharpen him up in class but he’s out to 1600m so I’ve resisted the idea for the time being.

“He’s drawn nicely and it looks a field of promising horses like him in what is his biggest test to date.”

“If the rain was to arrive then I think that will only enhance his chance. If he can cope with the Mornington track then I’m expecting him to be in the finish.”

Patrick Moloney will be aboard Parsifal.

Araldo Junior is in Sydney where he will run in the Listed N.E. Manion Cup over 2400m. Moroney has been searching for soft ground with the import and the track is now listed as heavy.

“We’ve been looking for soft ground with him and this is probably a bit wetter than we were wanting,” Moroney said.

“While most of his wins have been on good ground we’ve found here in Australia that he’s been better with a little bit of give in the ground.”

Araldo Junior last raced on March 10 when unplaced in the Group I Auckland Cup on a day when the track came up on the firm side of good.

“The forecast is for the track to improve as the day goes on and the going looks the key to the race over 2400m,” Moroney

“Our horse has really good base fitness, he’s travelled over well and settled in to Sydney well.

“He did a nice piece of work on Wednesday so if the track is not too heavy then I’m expecting him to be in the finish.”

Michael Walker will be aboard Araldo Junior.