About Square Sprints To Victory

Michael Moroney admits that it took a while to figure out just what About Square was best at - the horse coming to Australia with a good reputation as a nice staying type in the making.

But, as it turned out, the horse didn't really run a trip but now, being trained as a sprinter, he has found his forte.

And at Flemington on Saturday he was right back to his best form - recording a dominant victory in the Simone Montgomerie Tribute.

Always travelling well for Nicholas Hall, the still lightly raced four-year-old loomed up at the 100m and was able to get clear to record a smart 3/4 length victory.

A three times winner from just 12 starts, About Square looks in great condition and Moroney is confident that the gelding can continue to prove competitive.

"We will box on as long into the spring as we can," he said Moroney, adding that About Square is only just now peaking.

"He has grown and matured a lot," he said.

A bargain NZ$20,000 2011 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale purchase for Paul Moroney, About Square is by Refuse To Bend out of the unraced Lalika, a Danehill sister to the Group Three winners Replicator and Green Treasure (Hong Kong).

About Square’s third dam Slenderella (Alpenkonig) was a dual Group winner in Germany and this is the family of Epsom Derby hero Slip Anchor.

Congratulations to owners Raced by R & C Legh Racing Pty Ltd (manager Rupert Legh), R Smith, Dr J T Kennedy, Gurners Bloodstock Co (manager Andrew Ramsden), Barry & Deidre Neville-White, Noel Griffin, Joe Bono, Vincent Morabito and the SHH Syndicate.

We are hoping the winners continue at Cranbourne on Sunday - two Ballymore horses heading to the winter meeting, Black Tomahawk and Donna Marie.

The former debuts in the De Bortoli Wines Maiden Plate but may find the 1400m a little short - "he is a nice staying type of horse," Moroney said.

Donna Marie meanwhile looks nicely placed in the Baden Powell Cellars Maiden Plate, the daughter of Don Eduardo stripping fitter for a recent 2200m run.

"With that run under her belt and a bit more work she should prove hard to beat," Moroney said.