In Style to join Moroney’s stable
GROUP I mare In Style leaves New Zealand on Wednesday to join Mike Moroney’s Melbourne stable.
Abandonment of the middle day of Hawke’s Bay’s spring carnival left the Fast ‘N’ Famous mare’s connections at a loss to devise a suitable New Zealand-based programme and the decision was reached to try her in Victoria.
Owners Paul and Shirlie Ryan successfully raced handy stayer Surpass out of Moroney’s Melbourne and Matamata stables and chose him to guide In Style’s Victorian quest.
‘‘We’ve known Mike for a long time and he was happy to test her in some of the fillies and mares races coming up in Melbourne,’’ Ryan said.
‘‘It was a tough call to make after all the great work Danica has done with her but it is in the horse’s best interests.’’
Matamata trainer Danica Guy developed In Style into one of New Zealand’s best sprinters with a hat-trick of blacktype wins last summer highlighted by the Group I Railway Stakes win at Ellerslie.
An injury at her next start in the Telegraph Handicap curtailed her campaign but she has returned with two impressive trial runs, the latest a winning effort at Avondale last week.
‘‘After that trial I am confident she is back to her best,’’ Guy said.
The 6-year-old has won seven races from 15 starts and $273,075, and has returned bigger, stronger and brighter
Paul than ever.
Guy is understandably disappointed she won’t have In Style around.
‘‘It’s realistic to send the mare to Australia,’’ Guy said. ‘‘I completely understand the rationale. It’s a sad indictment on New Zealand racing that there’s nothing suitable here for her in the next few months.
‘‘She’s had a good grounding here and it’s time now to test her and have a crack at the good money over in Australia.’’
In Style kicks off on Saturday at Caulfield in the Group III Cape Grim Beef Steaks over 1200m. The A$150,000 race is for 4-year-old and older mares and the set weights and penalties conditions will suit the Kiwi mare.
All is not lost for Guy with Surpass returning to her stable.
The Savabeel gelding went from her stable to Moroney after he had won three races and then added three wins in Australia.
He returned to Moroney’s and co-trainer Chad Ormsby’s Matamata barn and won the Waikato Times Gold Cup, ran second in The City Of Auckland Cup and third in the Kaimai Stakes taking his career earnings to $367,536.
Guy is pleased to have him back and everything going smoothly will set him for a Waikato Cup defence.
‘‘He likes a middle distance and he likes Te Rapa, so we will see if we have time to get him ready for the race again.’’
Meanwhile, the talented trainer sends a quality team to Taupo on Wednesday headed by black-type bound Capella.
If the Rip Van Winkle filly runs up to her potential in the maiden fillies and mares 1300m race, she will be aimed towards the 1000 Guineas at Riccarton in November.
‘‘I was going to save her for Matamata next Saturday but Opie [Bosson] will be in Melbourne next weekend and is available for Taupo so I’ve booked him to ride three of my four runners including Capella.
‘‘She’s drawn wide the race fits her programme so she can give it a go.’’
Guy’s other runners include Trigger, Thornhill and Thrill, who has Craig Grylls aboard.
‘‘Thornhill is going well and I’m hoping Opie can get Trigger to settle, he’s been racing a bit fierce but has the ability if he doesn’t over-race.’’