TWO MELBOURNE CUP RUNNERS FOR BALLYMORE STABLES

Jordan Childs is following in family footsteps as he prepares for his first ride in a Melbourne Cup.

Childs is aboard the Mike Moroney-trained import Sound Check (pictured) which races in the familiar purple and white colours of Auckland-based businessman Gerard Peterson.

Childs’s father Greg wore the same colours when partnering the import Maridpour in the 2000 Melbourne Cup won by the Moroney-trained stablemate Brew.

Ironically Brew was the first Melbourne Cup ride for then apprentice Kerrin McEvoy and Childs

“It’s very exciting to have a ride in the race for sure,” Childs said. “I can’t wait to be honest, I haven’t really spoken to Dad about it yet but I’m sure we will before the race.”

Childs was aboard Sound Check for the entire’s Australian debut when finishing 12th in the Caufield Cup but said there were several extenuating circumstances.

“He got quite stirred up in the mounting yard with all the noise and then wanted to take off on me when we cantered to the start,” Childs explained.

“Then when the pace slackened at halfway he wanted to over-race but he was strong through the line and under the circumstances it was a better run than it might have looked.

“Mike has treated him as if he’s still in Germany and hasn’t galloped him since and the horse is lovely and relaxed.”

Sound Check is one of two runners for Moroney in the race and the trainer said he has controlled an urge to do more with Sound Check.

“He’s not the most robust horse and is used to doing very little between his races so that is what we have done with him since Caulfield,” Moroney said.

“He looks terrific and is nice and relaxed here at Flemington. I was not at all disappointed with his run in the Caulfield Cup and with ordinary luck on Tuesday I’m expecting him to run well.”

Moroney also has Vengeur Masque in Tuesday’s race and is surprised by bookmaker’s opinion of the imports chances.

Vengeur Masque just missed gaining a start in last year’s Melbourne Cup and Moroney believes is set to run well following his ninth place finish in the Caulfield Cup.

“I can’t believe he’s the price he is to be honest,” Moroney said. “His run at Caulfield was excellent under the circumstances to be beaten less than five lengths.

“He’s drawn to get a lovely run and his piece of work here last Tuesday was as good as he has gone so I think he’s got an excellent chance.”