Mike Moroney is looking forward to getting Maythehorsebemagic back on relatively firm going in Saturday’s Andrew Ramsden Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.
The former New Zealand stayer-jumper had his first start for Moroney over 2406m at Caulfield on April 9 and romped in by four lengths from Ramsden rival Almodovar on a good (2) track.
However he was unable to replicate that performance on a heavy (8) surface when he could finish only eighth in the Warrnambool Cup (2350m) on May 3 when beaten 5-3/4 lengths.
“The owners were pretty confident that he’d handle wet ground but he wasn’t that happy in it at Warrnambool,” Moroney said.
“When he did win at Caulfield it was on top of the ground and it’s hard for a horse to do both so I think he really is a top of the ground horse and hopefully he’ll get those sorts of conditions on Saturday.”
The Flemington track was rated a dead (5) on Friday.
“He’s weighted up to his best (60kg) but it doesn’t look a strong race and he’s going really well,” Moroney said.
The Flemington trainer said there would be no problem regarding Maythehorsebemagic running out the 3200m of the Listed Ramsden.
The big-striding Zabeel seven-year-old, prepared by Brad Peterson in New Zealand, has won seven of his 35 starts, three of them in the 2400m range.
He has also had three starts over the jumps for a win in a Paeroa maiden hurdle (2950m) but Moroney has no immediate plans to send him jumping in Australia.
Dwayne Dunn, who has ridden Maythehorsebemagic in his two outings for Moroney, retains the mount on Saturday.
Dunn will be after his second victory in the race having won it aboard Phaze Action in 2009.
Maythehorsebemagic was the $3.50 favourite in a cramped TAB Sportsbet market on Friday ahead of Kirribilli Gold at $4.20, Almodovar at $4.40, Streaky Fella at $6 and Dame Claire at $8.
