POLAND BREAKS THROUGH AT FLEMINGTON

The addition of blinkers helped focus Poland who broke his maiden with a strong win at Flemington today.

Able to angle away from the inside deep in the home straight by Jordan Childs, Poland hit his stride late to overwhelm his rivals to win the Rendr Trophy (1400m) for three-year-old.

“I thought it was a really good win, I was impressed by the way he relaxed which was important,” Moroney said.

“They didn’t go fast and the first two around the home turn were the ones he had to beat and he was the only one in the race to really make any ground.

“Jordan said he still doesn’t quite know how to put it together but the blinkers certainly helped iron him out late.

All in all I thought it was a good win, he’s a colt with a lot of ability and I’d like to think we can get him to the Caulfield Guineas but we’ll just see how he come through this today.”

Tour Of Duty nearly made it a double, only just edged out by Cetshwayo in the Derby Trial Stakes over 1800m.

“I thought he went terrific, he handled the trip which we thought he would so we’ll press on with the Derby as the main aim,” Moroney said.

“He’s handling his racing and holding his condition well and it was pleasing to see him run a much better race today over a bit of distance.”

Moroney was equally satisfied with the efforts of Star Of Eden, which finished third, and Yatton, which finished fourth, in the Oaks Trial over 1800m.

“They both ran well, especially off a slow pace,” Moroney said. “Star Of Eden went terrific, she just needed to get away from the fence a bit sooner but she’s still learning and I think she ran very well under the circumstances.

“Yatton had some trouble getting a clear run in the straight but she’ll stay and she’s a filly with a nice future.”

Our other runner Proud Mary finished 10th but only beaten just under four lengths.

“She found herself in an awkward spot in a slowly run race and then she got caught when they sprinted but she’ll improve a lot for the run, was strong through line and is going the right way.”