Back Yourself!
Sign-up and start betting with Ladbrokes in 2 minutes!
Back A Winner with Neds!
Sign-up and start betting with Neds in 2 minutes!
Daily Racing Specials!
Sign-up and bet with Australia's best new bookmaker!
#1 Ranked New Bookie
Sign-up and bet with Australia's #1 ranked new bookmaker!
Best Of The Best Odds!
Bet With Palmerbet and get Paid Top Fluc or Top Tote!
Massive Odds on All Races!
Sign-up and start betting with PlayUp in 2 minutes!
What are you prepared to lose today?
Set a deposit limit.
Search
 
Image: Bruno Cannatelli
Alabama Express will now take on the star three-year-olds in the Australian Guineas

Alabama Express has already upstaged the older horses to win the C F Orr Stakes and will now take on the star three-year-olds in the Australian Guineas.

After considering all options trainer Mike Moroney has confirmed a clash with Alligator Blood and Catalyst in Saturday’s Group One 1600m-race at Flemington.

Moroney and his fellow part-owners who include Rupert Legh and Arrowfield Stud, also considered running the valuable colt in Saturday’s weight-for-age Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield won by Streets Of Avalon.

The Newmarket Handicap (1200m) on March 7 was another option on the table after the 1400m Orr.

But the trainer believes Alabama Express is up to the challenge against what is widely considered a stellar crop of three-year-olds headed by star Queenslander Alligator Blood and New Zealander Catalyst who fought out the finish of the C S Hayes Stakes.

“We’ve already beaten the older horses at weight-for-age. We’d like to take the three-year-olds on now,” Moroney said.

“If he can beat the gun three-year-olds, it puts that on the mantle too.

“We just think that the mile would suit him better than coming back in distance for the Newmarket. The Futurity was only two weeks in between and we thought we’d rather – for his stud duties – take on the better three-year-olds. We’re not afraid to.

“They are obviously very good and it’s a good year. But I have seen enough of our horse to think that he’s improved a lot from the spring to the autumn.

“We’ll be wiser after we take them on but we’re not against taking them on.”

Moroney said a crack at the $5 million All-Star Mile on March 14 at Caulfield was also on the radar if Alabama Express earned a wildcard after the Guineas.

“When we brought him in we thought we would go to the race at Flemington first-up into the weight-for-age Orr and then into the Guineas,” Moroney said.

“We decided not to change plans. We couldn’t see any reason to.

“And then we thought if we went well enough in the Guineas, there’s a chance he could run in the big mile if he gets a wildcard.

“We’ve aimed to do that if we want to.”

Michael Dee will again ride Alabama Express and Moroney said the jockey felt the colt would be better-suited stepping up to the Guineas distance rather than dropping back to the Newmarket trip.

 
*Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Gamble responsibly.
What are you prepared to lose today?
Set a deposit limit.
Featured News

FREE BETS – Claim $1000’s in Bonus Bets at the TOP Betting Sites

We take a look at the BIGGEST and BEST Free Daily Racing Offers and Betting Promotions from Australia’s leading online...

Golden Slipper Likely Field – 2024

The biggest two-year-old race of the year will jump this Saturday in arguably one of the best fields in recent...

Former trainer handed a five-year ban for pulling stewards pants down

Former trainer Todd Balfour has been handed a five-year disqualification by Racing SA stewards after a misconduct incident at the...

Melbourne Cup champion Verry Elleegant passes away

Verry Elleegant, one of the great mares in the history of Australian racing, has died while giving birth to her...

Watch 📺 Jockey banned from all racing premises over ride

Jockey Dylan Kitts has been penalised with a disciplinary officer exclusion directive due to non-compliance with an inquiry regarding his...

Group 1 winner returns positive swab

Racing Victoria stewards are investigating a positive swab from Group 1-winning mare Prowess, the racehorse trained by Roger James and...

Alligator Blood injured, career in doubt

Cult galloper Alligator Blood may have run his last race, with trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott confirming the star galloper had...

Nikita Beriman returns to the saddle

July 1, 2023 to January 26, 2024 … that period represents the just shy of seven months that Nikita Beriman...

Australia's Best Betting Sites

New Betting Sites Australia + Top List Bookmaker Apps $$$

Betting in Australia has never been more popular thanks to a large increase in new betting Agencies and Apps available...

Top 10 – Funniest Race Horse Names

Horse racing. Known as the ‘Sport Of Kings’, an industry worth billions, a very serious business…but to some, it’s a...

Best Horse Betting Sites in Australia

Best Horse Racing Betting Apps and Betting Sites – March 2024

We take a look at the best online betting apps to bet on horse racing in Australia for the month...

Golden Slipper

The Golden Slipper is one of the biggest and most prestigious horse races in Australia. Taking place each April at...

Australian Bookmaker Reviews – Online Bookie Ratings $$

Which bookmaker should you bet with? We Review each of the leading online Australian Bookmakers and rate them in order...

 
 
What are you prepared to lose today?
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au