Sailor on song for sobering Sydney Cup marathon

 WHEN Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Michael Moroney took over the conditioning of European galloper Drunken Sailor, the stayer's Aussie owners had concerns.

They didn't believe the one-time plodder, which has winning form over hurdles, could stay 3200 metres and wet tracks were a problem. Not a concern for Moroney heading into tomorrow's Sydney Cup at Randwick.

I thought he was over-racing in the blinkers and I took them off, he said. He probably should have won the Adelaide Cup, he was forced to make his run a long way out.

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Jockey Damien Oliver, who won the Sydney Cup on No Wine No Song in 2008, told Moroney Drunken Sailor spotted the Adelaide Cup winning post and dropped anchor.

He couldn't get him going again, Moroney said. Ollie has ridden him enough now to know you can get to the front too soon.

Formerly prepared by Luca Cumani in the Old Dart, Drunken Sailor ventured to Melbourne for the past two spring carnivals, picking up a total of $75,000 for a seventh placing in last year's Caulfield Cup.

Sydney Morning Herald, Craig Young

In late January, Drunken Sailor had his first run for Moroney and two starts later won the Roy Higgins over 2600m at Flemington. From five starts under Moroney, Drunken Sailor is yet to miss a place and has collected $404,300 in prizemoney. A plain little horse, a lovely horse to deal with and he just stays, he said.

Drunken Sailor goes into the Sydney Cup after a third behind Manighar and 2010 Melbourne Cup winner Americain in The BMW at Rosehill on April 7. While Manighar and Americain take on Doncaster Mile winner More Joyous in tomorrow's Queen Elizabeth, Drunken Sailor was always Sydney Cup-bound. On paper, the cup looks a three-horse race, Moroney said. Permit is the up-and-comer and has looked very good coming through the handicaps. He is meeting two horses coming out of The BMW, mine and Niwot.

Moroney is respectful of the Sydney Cup topweight and 2007 Melbourne Cup winner Efficient.

His record past a mile-and-a-half gives him a chance but he hasn't had an ideal preparation, he said.

Scratched hours out from the Chairman's Quality at Randwick a fortnight ago, Efficient is due to undergo a Racing NSW veterinary examination this afternoon.

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