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.

Visit the profile page for Almanzor

Almanzor in upcoming sales:
Advertisment
More Reading...
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
Rosemont and Partners Stakes Quinella on Cup Day
Written Tycoon posted his second new stakes-winner on Melbourne Cup Day when promising three year-old gelding Catoggio took out the Listed VRC Amanda Elliot Stakes (1400m)  for Rosemont Stud and partners, who also race the second horse Bosustow.
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.
All Too Hard's Arran Bay Brave in the Furphy Plate
Phillip Stokes admitted his preference was to run Arran Bay in the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville but was overruled by the owners, who made the correct decision in favouring the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) at Flemington.
Cup Day Stakes-Winner for So You Think
The Listed VRC TAB Trophy (1800m) for three year-olds on Cup Day at Flemington drew a competitive field of up and comers with So You Think gelding Opening Address stamping himself as a bright prospect for the future with a stylish victory.
Tycoon Star Makes Winning Debut in G3 Maribyrnong Plate
Tycoon Star looked like the consummate professional when making a winning career debut in the Group III Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) to kickstart Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
Knights Choice a True Underdog Story
Punters were left stunned when the Queenslander Knight's Choice and Japanese visitor Warp Speed (JPN) emerged from the pack to fight out a dramatic finish to the $8,560,000 Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.
El Vencedor wins G3 Balmerino Stakes
El Vencedor is making a habit of picking up major victories at Ellerslie, adding the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) to his burgeoning record at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
Storm Boy Headed to Ireland
Coolmore have today announced via Twitter that top class Justify (USA) colt Storm Boy will be continuing his racing career in Ireland in 2025 under the care of Aidan O’Brien.