Morgan determined to turn boom colt into a stallion
PROMINENT Queensland owner Nev Morgan says the spring carnival is all about a stallion-making mission for Gold Coast Magic Millions winner Shaquero, who could resume in the Group 1 Moir Stakes at The Valley on Friday night.
Morgan says the Chris Waller-trained colt would be likely to take his place in the Moir, providing he draws a nice barrier on Wednesday.
If he does not draw well, then Shaquero’s return could be delayed until the Group 2 Danehill Stakes at Flemington on October 2.
Regardless, everything about the spring will be geared towards adding to Shaquero’s worth as a potential future stallion.
The stallion-making Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes is the ultimate aim for the colt who blew away his
Magic Millions rivals and also won the Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes at Rosehill earlier in the year.
“If he draws well in the Moir, he will run,” Morgan said. “If he doesn’t draw well we might even hold on to him for the Danehill, his ultimate aim is the Coolmore and if we gave him a run up the straight in the Danehill it could be good preparation for him.
“There is still a chance I could sell him as a stallion, I could probably sell him now actually.
“But if he could win or place in a Group 1 race, he is going to be worth a lot more.”
Morgan is famed for such horses as Group 1 and Golden Eagle winner Kolding, and Doncaster Mile winners Kermadec and Rangirangdoo.
But for Morgan, and great mate and Shaquero’s partowner David Devine, the 2YO Gold Coast Magic Millions Classic had always been the nut they had been unable to crack until this year.
Shaquero has yet to race as a three-year-old but Morgan’s hopes are high the colt can come back well, tuning up for his return to racing with a track gallop at The Valley with stablemate September Run on Monday.
TAB fixed odds have Shaquero as a $15 chance in the Moir on Friday night and a $51 hope in long-range betting on the Coolmore Stud Stakes.