Kiwi Stayers Primed for Moonee Valley Cup

Media Release - Wednesday October 23

Friday's Gr.2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) is looming as a crucial guide to New Zealand's chances of Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) success.

The Graeme and Debbie Rogerson-trained Sharp 'N' Smart and the Andrew Forsman-trained Positivity both galloped at Tuesday morning's Breakfast With The Best trackwork session, pleasing their connections ahead of Friday’s $A750,000 feature at The Valley.

Sharp ā€˜Nā€™ Smart will contest Friday's Gr.2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) at The Valley. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

Debbie Rogerson was happy with Redwood five-year-old gelding Sharp 'N' Smart's work, in which he wasn't asked for a strong effort under raceday rider Craig Williams.

"He just really had a look around. That was the main thing for him because he's pretty fit and forward for Friday," she said.

"Craig said he felt fit and that his action felt fantastic, so we were pleased with that."

A three-time Group One winner, Sharp 'N' Smart pushed Manzoice to half a length when he was second in the Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) as a three-year-old but he had no luck in his second Victorian start when he faded to 13th in the Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) after a tough run earlier this month. 

Advertisement

"We just want him to really hit the line hard on Friday," Rogerson said. 

"He's very well, a very happy horse. He just wants track conditions to suit so we just hope the weather plays ball."

Sharp ‘N’ Smart has drawn barrier five for Friday’s contest, two places inside fellow Waikato stayer Positivity.

Forsman was also satisfied with Positivity's trackwork under rider Tom Prebble.

"She went well. She's been going great the whole way through," Forsman said.

"We had to scratch her last week through bruised heels and she's still not 100 percent on them but they're getting better with each day. We just want to draw well and for everything to go right so she gets her best chance on Friday."

While Almanzor four-year-old Positivity currently sits outside the final field of 24 for the A$8.56 million Melbourne Cup on November 5, Forsman was optimistic she could secure a start if her form warranted running.

"She's still a chance. There's still a few above her in the order that won't be going so I'd think she'd get close to getting a run if we go down that path," he said.

"She'd have to run well on Friday, especially how well she'll be weighted. Provided she gets every chance in the run, if she couldn't finish top three or four, we wouldn't be pressing on with a start in the Melbourne Cup."

With the pending defection of Warmonger, Sharp 'N' Smart will rise to 12th on the Melbourne Cup order of entry with the Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray-trained Mahrajaan also assured of a start at 21st on the list, potentially higher if Deny Knowledge tackles the Gr.1 Champion Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on November 9 in preference to the Cup.

Positivity sits at 30th on the order, three places ahead of the Grant Cooksley and Bruce Wallace-trained Trust In You, who has finished fourth in the Gr.1 Metropolitan Handicap (2400m) and the Gr.3 ATC St Leger (2600m) at Randwick in his last two starts.

Cooksley said connections would pay the $A4,000 third declaration fee next Monday for Trust In You and see where the horse was in the order of entry before deciding whether to head down to Melbourne for the Cup without another lead-up run.

Mahrajaan is set to tackle the Gr.3 Bendigo Cup (2400m) on Wednesday week after an insect bite ruled out a start in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
One to Watch ā€“ Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday November 20
Here is the full list of 39 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.