He will replace Patrick Moloney, who won the Listed Kensington Stakes on the
entire and partnered the Mike Moroney-trained sprinter into a last-start fifth
in the Group I Newmarket Handicap at Flemington. "We're happy with Tivaci and we think Damien will suit him," said Bruce Perry, who oversees the thoroughbred interests of Wellington part-owner Lib Petagna.
"There will obviously be some very good horses in it, but we believe he is right up to them. We couldn't be happier and just hope they don't get too much rain."
The T.J. Smith presents Tivaci with another opportunity to add a Group One win to his resume ahead of him taking up residency in the spring at Waikato Stud. The Matamata farm recently bought a major interest in the son of High Chaparral.
He is the dual Group Three winner of the C.S. Hayes Stakes and the Sunshine Coast Guineas and he was also Group One-placed in the spring in the Cantala Stakes and the Toorak Handicap.
"There are a number of options for him after Saturday, including the All-Aged Stakes and the Goodwood Handicap, but Mike will work that out," Perry said.
Meanwhile, the Petagna-owned Sofia Rosa will return to Stephen Marsh's Cambridge stable tomorrow (Wednesday).
"She's freshened up and is likely to run in the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes with the blinkers on," Perry said.
"We are looking at the Easter Stakes as well and the Travis Stakes and possibly on to Brisbane."
Petagna's colours will also be donned by Matt Cameron aboard the first-starter Newton in the Fairview Motors 1600 at Matamata on Wednesday.
Trained by Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, the three-year-old finished runner-up in a trial last month.
"He's a staying type by Authorized and he is an improving horse," Perry said. - NZ Racing Desk.
