Rhythm To Burn!

It is always nice to return to Adelaide – where Michael Moroney first established his Australian base – and nicer still to win feature races on Morphettville’s biggest day!

Ballymore took three horses to the big meeting and what a successful day it was with Rhythm To Spare a brilliant winner of the Gr.3 R.A Lee Stakes whilst Octavia was a gallant second in the Gr.3 Proud Miss Stakes.

Moroney was almost lost for words after the performance of Rhythm To Spare.

Whilst confident that four-year-old was the horse to beat in the 1600m event, he could not have predicted just how easily the bay would win!

Settling back for a patient Damien Oliver, Rhythm To Spare hooked out at the turn and really charged – quickly gathering in his rivals down the centre of the track.

Racing clear to win by a soft 3½ lengths, Rhythm To Spare recorded the sixth success of his 16 start career – increasing his prize money tally to beyond $330,000.

“Gee he was very impressive,” Moroney said, as taken by the ease of the victory as by just what a professional Rhythm To Spare is becoming.

“He used to be such a hard-going horse but he is really learning to relax. He has got really good race sense now.”

Whilst disappointing in two Sydney runs, Rhythm To Spare has thrived since – the travelling perhaps contributing to his maturing attitude.

Damien Oliver is now two for two on Rhythm To Spare who had won his previous race at Flemington for the champion rider.

“He won really well and was always travelling like the winner,” he said, adding that it was good to see the horse racing with renewed confidence.

Always well regarded, Rhythm To Spare was being aimed at the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap last year – only to have his preparation interrupted when he pulled up from a lead-up run with atrial fibrillation.

That race will again be his aim this spring and he now heads to the paddock to prepare for his carnival preparation.

Photo by Vin Lowe