Sabrage kicks off in McKenzie Stakes

Ballymore takes just the one horse to the races on Saturday but it's a very nice horse in a very nice race - promising three-year-old Sabrage kicking off his spring campaign in the Listed McKenzie Stakes at Moonee Valley.

To jump from barrier eight should the emergencies be the only scratchings, the son of Charge Forward will again be ridden by Lisa Cropp who was aboard the well related colt when he saluted in impressive style at his Caulfield debut in mid-May.

Entered for the Caulfield Guineas and the W.S Cox Plate, Sabrage (named after the ceremonial of a champage bottle with a sabre) has always been highly rated by the stable and Moroney is hopeful he will measure up in the spring features.

"He is a really nice colt," he said, "and we think it is worth having a crack at the big races with him."

"Our only concern is if he has had enough race practice to head to Moonee Valley but we have been really happy with him."

A $200,000 Easter purchase for Paul Moroney, Sabrage is out of the terrific mare Galroof who won the Gr.3 Doomben Classic for us. She has done a good job without much luck at stud - her first foal being the Listed winning Doncaster Handicap placegetter Pinnacles and her second the stakes placed Husonic.