RAINBOW THIEF REPAYS MORONEY WISDOM

Mike Moroney had to delve into his bag of tricks to coax the best out of Rainbow Thief who delivered in spades at Sandown on Wednesday.

The talented four-year-old had ruined his chances by getting keen and wanting to over race at his previous two starts, causing Moroney to think about a gear change.

“We added a norton bit and took the chance to race him in ear muffs,” Moroney said.

“The norton bit is somewhat more severe however, the ear muffs were something of a gamble - he works in them and is fine but we didn’t want them working too well on race day and switching him off completely.”

As it turned out, Moroney need not have worried as Rainbow Thief, settled a little better than midfield by Dwayne Dunn, came through between horses early in the home straight to power clear over the concluding stages to win the benchmark 70 handicap over 1500m by 2-3/4 lengths going away.

“That was very pleasing,” Moroney said. “He’s a horse that has always shown us good talent, it’s just been a case of the race smarts with him.

“He’s still only lightly raced and he’s got more improvement in him - it would be nice to think he can secure one of the late spots for the All-Star Mile, I think he’s got that sort of talent.”

A four-year-old son of Rock ’n’ Pop. Rainbow Thief cost $55,000 from the draft of Valachi Downs when purchased by Paul Moroney at the NZB Karaka Premier Sale and has now won three of his seven starts and earned $92,350.

Congratulations to his owners R&C Legh Racing P/L (Mgr: R Legh), Pulitano Thoroughbreds P/L (Mgr: G Pulitano), R Ford, F Brown, G & Mrs S Lygoyris, R Dando, J Bart and Ballymore Stables (Aust) P/L.