Margin Trader touches down in NZ

Exciting Australian debut winner, Margin Trader (Tavistock), also known as Bellagio in New Zealand, has touched down in New Zealand following his dominant performance at Bendigo last month and will be set for the Group 1 TV3 NZ Derby next March.

Trainer Mike Moroney identified him as a VRC Derby prospect early on, although had to under go a gelding which scratched any hope of making the Derby.

"He has always showed us a lot of ability. He came over from New Zealand for the (Victoria) Derby, but he got a bit colty and we had to geld him," Moroney said.

"He did a lot wrong on debut, but there is plenty of improvement in him.”

“There is a lot of Zabeel in his appearance and the older he gets ,and the further he gets, the better he is going to be. In six months time we will see the best of him."

Bellagio has been placed under the astute care of Mike Moroney’s training partner in New Zealand, Chad Ormsby, who is extremely excited about the prospects of having him back in the stable.

“He was educated and trialed here before going to Australia where he had his first start,” said Ormsby.

“Judging by his first run over 1400m, he is only going to relish over more ground.”

“It’s pretty exciting to see what he did on debut, and how easily he did it, without really knowing what racing is about yet.”

Bellagio is likely to make his first New Zealand appearance at Ellerslie on Saturday, November 29 in the Listed Trevor Eagle Memorial Stakes over 1500m for three-year-old’s.