Dream very much alive
3. NO FUSS EVENT HIRE 1700m
A SMALL group of Geelong owners can dare to dream of a city win after Potemkin proved too strong in the No Fuss Event Hire benchmark 70 handicap yesterday.
While high profile owner Rupert Legh has bigger fish to fry this week with champion sprinter Chautauqua running in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes tomorrow night, the famous silks — navy blue with a gold lightning bolt — crossed the line first at Geelong.
Potemkin should have won last start over the mile at Moonee Valley, according to jockey Patrick Moloney, but returned to the winner’s stall yesterday with an all-the-way win over 1700m.
Trainer Mike Moroney said the four-yearold son of Testa Rossa, a full brother to Flemington winner Murcielaga, has plenty of upside.
“I’d like to think before we go to the paddock — because we’ll have to eventually — I’d like to give him a go over 2000m first,” Moroney said. “He’s out of a Zabeel mare and even though his brother, Murcielaga, was only a 1400m horse, this horse looks more a Zabeel, so I’d like to do that before we go to the paddock.
“I think he’s a Saturday class sort of horse, he’s just been a bit slow maturing. But he’s got over that now so we’re hoping he goes on with it.”
Moloney also praised Potemkin, who now boasts three wins and five placings from 12 starts.
The $16,500 first prize took his career winnings past $57,000.
“I had a little cheeky look at the big screen on the home corner. There’s one set up there,” the hoop said.
“We planned to lead and be positive early and hold up our positions, and once everyone sorted themselves out we planned to get in a couple cheap sectionals.
“He relaxed well for me, got those in … and then got them off the bridle and that was the difference in the end.”