Trainer Mike Moroney has decided to extend Chapada’s campaign to take in the Listed Pakenham Cup and possibly more.
The four-year-old has won one race from his 14 starts, a Wangaratta maiden, and needs to increase his profile if he is to get into bigger races in the autumn and next spring.
As a three-year-old Chapada finished an unlucky third in the Victoria Derby at Flemington and later contested the Australian Derby at Randwick and South Australian Derby at Morphettville.
After Chapada’s tough season, Moroney planned a light spring of three runs.
“We were going to have a quiet spring and concentrate on the autumn and the spring in his five-year-old year,” Moroney said.
But a disappointing effort in the Rosehill Cup (2000m) when sixth behind Tally on November 2, led to Moroney opting to start Chapada in the Zipping Classic (2400m) on November 16 in which he finished third behind Southern France.
“He’s looked pretty dour from day dot this campaign,” Moroney said.
“While weight-for-age didn’t look the best way to go we wanted to see if we were right that he was looking for a trip, and we were right, that’s all he wanted to do.
“We were up and still going and we’ve still got a bit to do as he’s only won a maiden at Wangaratta, so he’s stayed in work and we thought we’d have a go at this.”
Moroney said Saturday’s 2500m-race may not be the end of Chapada’s campaign with the Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m) at Flemington on New Year’s day a consideration.
“The Bagot’s sitting there and we’re well aware that he’s got a bit to do especially if we want to get to a better class at some stage,” Moroney said.
“He’s a good doing horse. He’s a lovely horse to deal with and is push button to train. He works lovely and never gives you a bad day.”
