Double for Malan

Always well regarded, Malan is a horse for whom the penny is really starting to drop – the promising four-year-old at Ballarat on Sunday winning his second race in a row – and in convincing fashion.

Settling nicely behind the leaders, Malan – who was favourite on the strength of his tough maiden victory at the same track two weeks previously – did not have the best of luck, shuffled back as the field bunched heading to the turn.

He was not to be deterred however – patiently steered by an in-form Jordan Childs – he was able to join the lead at the 200m racing away to win by 1¼ lengths with plenty in hand.

“He is a horse we have always thought highly of,” Michael Moroney said, adding that the Ballarat win was “a nice stepping stone for him.”

Wearing blinkers on for the first time, Malan found the line well – having a few times in the past lost concentrating when getting to the lead too soon.

“He has to arrive at the right time,” said Moroney, confident that the chestnut can measure up to better things.

A $40,000 Melbourne Premier Sale graduate purchased by Paul Moroney, Malan – a son of Not A Single Doubt (pictured) – is raced by Brown Shoe (manager: Lewis Byrne), Ballymore Stables, Patrick Pinnell, Rodney & Andrea Whinfield, Peter Pinnell, Mark Cassar and Hugh Kenneally.

He is one of ten winners produced by the excellent broodmare Chilkat, a city placed five times winner whose other foals include the Hong Kong based Group Three winner Fibber, the Perth Listed winner Bermaise and the metropolitan winners Turbanator, Hong Kong Lad, Snitzel Kid, Spokesman and Dr Freeze.