Stakes-winning galloper Viking Hero has been earmarked for the Tasmanian Cups if he can recapture his best form this campaign.
The five-year-old has struggled to get his mojo back after winning the Group Three Eclipse Stakes (1800m) at Sandown in November last year but the Mike Moroney stable is hopeful he can improve in Tuesday’s Listed Lord Stakes (1600m) at Mornington.
Moroney’s racing manager Anthony Feroce blames a virus for Viking Hero’s form lapse last campaign and believes that an extended spell after a Queensland winter campaign has him back to his top.
“In Queensland he just wasn’t right and possibly picked up some sort of virus,” Feroce said.
“We gave him a good spell after Brisbane and we are pretty happy with him.”
Viking Hero has won two of his 24 starts but 14 of those runs have been at stakes level for a win and three minor placings.
His only start this campaign was at Flemington where he settled last of the nine runners and ran on to finish sixth to Agrippa, beaten 4-3/4 lengths, on December 10.
Feroce said that while the performance was encouraging, Viking Hero may have finished closer had he not felt the hard track.
He should get some cushion at Mornington where the track on Monday was rated a dead four.
“The other day at Flemington the track was firm and he didn’t stretch out the last bit but the 1600 will suit him second-up and hopefully we have rain affected ground to help him,” Feroce said.
“He should run a nice race and all going well he might head down to Tasmania (for the Cups).
The Hobart Cup (2200m) is on February 12 and the Launceston Cup (2400m) on February 29.
AAP TURF
