Member Login

Mike Moroney considers Makybe Diva Stakes as spring opener for Shenzhou Steeds

Bart Sinclair, The Courier-Mail

SHENZHOU Steeds, the staying find of the Queensland winter carnival, will open his spring campaign at Flemington on Saturday.

Trainer Mike Moroney originally was reluctant to have a shot at the spring carnival with the emerging Shenzhou Steeds despite his superb winter form.

The late-developing five-year-old came off an average Caulfield sixth in late May to win the Ipswich Cup on June 16 and follow up a fortnight later with a stunning seven lengths romp in the Caloundra Cup.

Shenzhou Steeds is to resume in the 1600m Makybe Diva Stakes. Eddie Wilkinson, who won the two Cups in Queensland on Shenzhou Steeds, has been retained for the ride this week.

"He didn't beat much at Caloundra but he has a few things against him and the margin was terrific so we were ecstatic with that effort," Moroney said.

"He had a few things against him. He went up 4kg in weight, it was an extremely heavy track and had never been to 2400m before.

"I wasn't sure whether he could cope physically with getting into the spring but he has become stronger with the trip to Queensland and a short break.

"He had some residual fitness when he arrived back in Melbourne and is ready to go to the 1600m this week."

Moroney is entertaining an idea to set Shenzhou Steeds for the Naturalism Stakes at Caulfield on September 22 as his "test" race for the Caulfield Cup.

"We figure Shenzhou Steeds is going to be weighted around 52kg for the Caulfield Cup. That would make him borderline to get into the field," he said.

"The Naturalism winner is exempt from the ballot for the Caulfield Cup."

European stayer Drunken Sailor will open his Melbourne Cup program in the 1800m Underwood Stakes in three weeks.

Moroney was happy with the eight-year-old's first campaign for him in the autumn when he finished second in the Adelaide Cup and third in The BMW at Rosehill.

He is hopeful the South Australian Oaks runner-up Crimson Lady can take a big step forward this spring.

"My biggest hopes for the spring are some of my lightly raced three-year-olds. But Shenzhou Steeds might surprise a few. We'll know more after Saturday," Moroney said.
[04 Sep 12]

CAVALRY MAN BIDDING FOR HAT TRICK TODAY (Australia)

CAVALRY MAN BIDDING FOR HAT TRICK TODAY
[24 Nov 24] Fort Laramie and Cavalry Man are our representatives at Kilmore today with Cavalry Man bidding for a hat trick.  more...

CRANBOURNE CUP TODAY (Australia)

CRANBOURNE CUP TODAY
[23 Nov 24] Three runners at Cranbourne today including Bankers Choice in the $500,000 Cranbourne Cup over 1600 metres with Daniel Stackhouse riding.  more...

WINNING CHANCES AT THE HEATH (Australia)

WINNING CHANCES AT THE HEATH
[20 Nov 24] Last start winners Untethered and Worcester are our runners on the Heath track at Caulfield today.  more...
CROSS AT SALE (Aus) [19 May 24]
HAIL CEASAR (Aus) [17 Jan 24]
FANCY LIKE, OH (NZ) [15 Oct 23]
BUFFY'S BACK! (Aus) [23 Sep 23]
FALCON SOARS (Aus) [08 Jun 23]
READY TO ROCH (Aus) [25 Feb 23]
HAIL CEASAR! (Aus) [24 Dec 22]
SUNDAY DUTY (Aus) [18 Dec 22]
SASSY ALRIGHT (NZ) [23 Oct 21]
AKTAU RETURNS (Aus) [31 Jul 21]
CORKS A POPPIN (NZ) [26 Jun 21]
COBRA STRIKES (Aus) [25 Oct 20]
SNIPER AT MOE (Aus) [16 Oct 20]
STAFF WANTED (NZ) [29 Oct 18]
RUBY A GEM (NZ) [25 Apr 18]
AVEC MOI WINS (NZ) [07 Mar 18]
BORN TO WIN (Aus) [28 Aug 17]
Girl Power! (NZ) [15 Sep 16]
100 Looms! (Aus) [21 Jul 16]
She's A Rose (Aus) [09 Jul 16]
Ararat Trio (Aus) [17 May 16]
Two Guineas! (Aus) [04 Mar 16]
Tulsa Resumes (Aus) [05 Feb 16]
Extra Smart! (Aus) [02 Sep 15]
Sandown Trio. (Aus) [01 Sep 15]
Rose Blooms! (Aus) [31 Aug 15]
Saturday Trio (Aus) [17 Jul 15]
Quiet Weekend (Aus) [25 Jun 15]
Sandown Trio (Aus) [03 Mar 15]
Garud At Best (Aus) [29 Dec 14]
Christmas Joy (Aus) [28 Dec 14]
Thursday Trio (Aus) [25 Nov 14]
RIP Araldo (Aus) [05 Nov 14]
Miz Flies! (Aus) [04 Aug 14]
Tasmanian Duo (Aus) [25 Feb 14]
Midweek Duo (Aus) [21 Jan 14]
Weekend Trio (Aus) [06 Dec 13]
Sale duo (Aus) [25 Sep 13]
On A Roll! (NZ) [17 Aug 13]
Te Rapa Duo (NZ) [15 Aug 13]
Confidence! (Aus) [26 Jul 13]
Lady Fires (Aus) [29 Mar 13]
Ararat Double (Aus) [12 Feb 13]
A Major win (Aus) [10 Nov 12]
Sale Saturday (Aus) [06 Sep 12]
A Magic start (Aus) [09 Apr 12]
Flashy flies! (Aus) [24 Mar 12]
Two for two! (Aus) [04 Nov 11]
What a week! (Aus) [03 Oct 11]
Born To Win! (Aus) [01 Oct 11]
Dashing Duke (Aus) [06 Jul 11]
She Rocks! (Aus) [18 Jun 11]
Busy weekend! (Aus) [03 Jun 11]
The Team (Aus) [09 Apr 11]
A Sale double (Aus) [28 Feb 11]
He's a Moral! (Aus) [18 Nov 10]
Oaks Day 2010 (Aus) [02 Nov 10]
A big weekend (Aus) [08 Jan 10]
Take That! (Aus) [02 Dec 09]