Trans-Tasman trainer Michael Moroney will have a two-pronged attack in Saturday’s Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) courtesy of Sound (Lando) and Milford (NZ) (Savabeel).
Moroney is on a fact-finding mission with Group One performer Milford, who has only run over 2400m on two occasions – runner-up in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and 13th in the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m).
The Savabeel gelding heads into Saturday in winning form, having taken out the Gr.3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield last week, and Moroney said his performance this weekend will dictate his racing programme for next year.
“Milford has come through his run well,” Moroney told RSN.
“He had that one placing in the New Zealand Derby and other than that his other mile and a half races have been inconclusive.
“We thought that we would give it a try now while he is up and fit so we can figure out what to do with him in autumn, winter, or next spring.”
Evergreen galloper Sound may be in the twilight of his career, but Moroney said his attitude around the stable belies his age and he expects a better showing from the 10-year-old entire on Saturday following his fifth-placed run in the Gr.2 Zipping Classic (2400m) last Saturday.
“Sound is like a five-year-old stallion, prancing around and carrying on, he is very full of himself,” Moroney said.
“Sound is getting to a stage where is he up to a Tancred (Gr.1, 2400m) or something like that? Possibly not now given his age, so he might as well run now for this sort of money.”
