ROCH 'N' HORSE TRIUMPHS AT FLEMINGTON

Mike Moroney has always believed Tivaci was unlucky not to win a Newmarket Handicap but he got the win he craved today when Roch ’N’ Horse proved best in the time-honoured sprint.

Racing in a group on the far side, Roch ’N’ Horse was always in clear air and Patrick Moloney was able to creep closer when he wanted to 300 metres out.

Roch ’N’ Horse found plenty for him and she asserted her authority over a game The Astrologist to go on and score by a neck with September Run close up third.

The five-year-old daughter of Per Incanto had been narrowly beaten at Group 1 level at her previous start in New Zealand and while punters did not agree with him, Mike went into the race with a degree of confidence.

"She settled in here well, trialled well down the straight and had been pretty luckless not to win a Group 1 before now really.” Mike said.

"I thought the New Zealand sprinters were up to it. A lot of people didn't think they were but I was pretty sure with what I've seen there that they were.

"We were always going to get to Australia, it was just a matter of which carnival. We thought this was the right place for her.

"She injured herself as a young horse and she didn't get to the races until she was an older horse. She hasn't been straight forward but Pam and her team in New Zealand has done a great job with her.

"She sent the horse over here in terrific order. We decided to miss the Oakleigh Plate, we were here in time to run in it and now we’ve got the result which is great for everyone and especially to have Cat Williams here - it’s a special day.

“We were pretty luckless not to win one with Tivaci in his year, he probably should have won. At times it takes a while to get it back and we finally got it back, so that's great."