Import shows a nose for victory
SOMETIMES fine margins can follow a trainer.
Like Karasi’s nose, which denied Flemington trainer Mike Moroney in the 2001 Geelong Cup with Maythehorsebewithu.
Or Tally’s nose, which cost Vengeur Masque victory in this year’s Mornington Cup, robbing him a certain start in the Caulfield Cup.
Or the one place in the order of entry for last year’s Melbourne Cup, which saw Vengeur Masque narrowly miss a start in the race that stops a nation.
But eventually things can turn. And for Moroney the stars aligned yesterday.
The former New Zealander got one back with his talented import Vengeur Masque, the rising six-year-old claiming a half-head victory in yesterday’s Group 3 Geelong Cup.
“He has (frustrated us). That nose defeat in the Mornington Cup was hard to take because it would have qualified us for the Caulfield Cup,” Moroney said.
“We went a different tack. (In the end) we could have made the Caulfield Cup but we decided to come here instead.
“We are really keen on the Melbourne Cup this year.”
Amazingly, the Geelong Cup was Vengeur Masque’s first Australian win despite him making his debut in the country last year.
Given a perfect ride by Patrick Moloney from a tricky barrier 10, Vengeur Masque pushed forward and settled nicely behind tearaway leader Lizzie L’Amour.
After hitting the front in the straight Moloney had to fight off a stack of challenges, with Brent Stanley’s Violate flashing down the outside, while favourite Gallic Chieftain found a late rails run.
But he was not to be denied this time, sticking his nose out in front when it counted to claim the $300,000 race and repay some of the faith his connections have shown.
The son of Monsun has his quirks but Moroney believes he finally has the horse going well enough to be a major contender in the nation’s big staying races.
“He was leading in a lot of his races, but he was left a sitting duck by pulling hard,” Moroney said.
“When they ran the Sydney Cup that was called off he actually led in that and didn’t get the two miles, and we know he is a real two-miler.
“It’s just a matter of tinkering with his gear and getting him to relax and he finally has now. We’ve had a lot of faith in this horse. He’s been a slow maturing horse, been a really late foal by (European) terms and he’s only just come of age.”