Mike Moroney is hopeful talented mare Born To Rock can deliver on her winter promise in the Myer Classic at Flemington.
A five-time winner in 14 starts, the four-year-old gets her chance to prove her third behind Yosei and Beaded in the Group One Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm in June wasn’t a fluke in Saturday’s 1600-metre fillies and mares feature.
The daughter of Fastnet Rock launched her spring campaign with a strong win over 1200 metres against mares at Moonee Valley on September 30 but Moroney blames himself for her last-start eighth to More Joyous in the Group Two Tristarc Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield when he deviated from her successful on-pace racing style.
“We probably made a bit of a blue last time,” Moroney said.
“It was a day where there was a lot of wind and all the jockeys were saying that you couldn’t lead.
“Because of that we decided to take a trail on her and it didn’t work.
“She was unhappy where she was and then we copped a bit of rain, the wind dropped, and the fence was the wrong place to be.”
Born To Rock was beaten 4-1/2 lengths but Moroney is certain that she would have finished closer but for the change of race tactics.
“She should have gone better,” he said.
TAB Sportsbet has Born To Rock at $26 for the Myer Classic which has attracted a crack field topped by $2.60 favourite More Joyous and tailed by Mosheen, who with 49kg is the only three-year-old in the race.
In-form jockey Craig Williams will ride Mosheen ($5) who was a last-start second to Atlantic Jewel in the Group One Thousand Guineas.
Dual Group One winner Response ($9), South Australian mare Majestic Music ($13) and three-time Group One winner Yosei ($15) are other leading hopes in the field of 16 and one emergency.
Last year’s Myer Classic winner Sacred Choice is $19 as is the ever-consistent Tasmanian Lady Lynette.
“It’s a pretty strong fillies and mares field but this will give us a real guide on her (Born To Rock),” Moroney said,.
“She’s a good mare and we want to take them on in the autumn when we go to Sydney with her so we might as well see now where she sits with them.”
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