BLOOD WILL TELL

A set of perfect blood results has convinced Mike Moroney to run Milford and Sound in today’s Pakenham Cup.

Sound and Milford (pictured) are the two top-weights in the $300,000 contest, both running at Caulfield last week with Milford winning the Eclipse Stakes (Gr 3, 1800m) while Sound finished fifth in the Zipping Classic (Gr 2, 2400m).

"We decided we'd nominate and as long as we were happy with them, we were going to run," Moroney said. "We're through the decision making, and the decision is they'll both take their place. Their bloods are perfect."

Mike wants to get another look at Milford at a longer trip which may determine the future path for the gelding who is yet to win beyond 2100-metres but did run second in the New Zealand Derby.

"Our theory behind Milford was we tossed and turned about him," Moroney said. "He's had that one placing in a New Zealand Derby and other than that his other mile-and-a-half races have been inconclusive.

"We thought we'd give him a try now while he's up and fit and work out what we're going to do with him in the autumn, winter or next spring."

Sound was aiming for a third successive win in the Zipping Classic and as a 10-year-old entire, Moroney said his racing days are nearing an end.

"He might as well run now for this sort of money as we get closer to making a decision about his racing future," Moroney said. "He's getting to the stage now of whether he is up to Sydney in the autumn, the Tancred Stakes, or something like that now at his age."

No Secret makes her Australian debut in race two, the fillies and mares benchmark 78 over 1200 metres with Patrick Moloney aboard.

The daughter of Niagara has good form in New Zealand and Mike is looking forward to getting her started.

“She looks terrific, has added some weight and has pleased me coming into today,” Mike said.

“I’ve had to train around her a little bit and whatever she does today I’m expecting her to improve on but if she brings her best I’d say she will be the one they all have to beat.”