Born To Win!

It was straight to the front for Born To Rock at Moonee Valley on Friday night, the exciting lightly raced mare having her rivals off the bit a fair way out – racing away to a soft 1.8 length victory.

“That was a good effort under the weight (58kg),” Michael Moroney said, adding that her victory was all the more impressive for what she did wrong.

“She wandered out a bit in the straight – maybe it was just due to her racing for the first time under the lights.”

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy, riding Born To Rock for the first time, was impressed.

“She was able to smoke along,” he said. “She gave me a nice feel.”

McEvoy added that Born To Rock would probably far just as well off the pace – “she doesn’t have to lead, but when you have drawn one and you can cruise along in front why not do it?!”

A five times winner from just 13 starts, Born To Rock will have one more run before a crack at Gr.2 glory in the Salinger Stakes down the straight at Flemington on Derby Day.

Also pleasing the team at Moonee Valley was Sabrage, a game third in the Gr.2 Bill Stutt Stakes.

Looking to be under pressure before the turn, the up-and-coming three-year-old responded well to Damien Oliver’s urgings.

And that jockey was very happy with the effort – “the winner is obviously very good,” he said, “but he is right there with them and I think he will get at least a mile-and-quarter – he is a lovely horse who relaxes well.”

Hopefully Born To Rock has set the stable on a successful course for the weekend with Ballymore saddling up two nice chances at Flemington on Sunday.

First up is talented import Glass Harmonium who takes his place in the feature event of the day, the $500,000 Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes – Kerrin McEvoy taking the ride from barrier one.

“We are really happy with him,” Moroney said.

“We have made a few adjustments to his gear and he seems to have chilled out a bit. December Draw should prove hard to beat at the weights but with luck in running I think our fellow can finish right in the thick of things.”

Stepping up to city grade after a tough Ballarat maiden victory, The Deep South lines up in the final event, the $150,000 Listed UCI Stakes.

Lisa Cropp, who has partnered the son of Darci Brahma at his first three outings, again takes the ride.

“He led last start but we might ride him slightly differently this time,” Moroney said, keen on The Deep South’s prospects as a staying prospect.

“He is one of our main VRC Derby chances,” he added.