Michael Freedman can’t recall having a horse progress through the grades as quickly as Moravia as the colt prepares to test the Group One waters in the $1 million Golden Rose.
The son of Snitzel only debuted in August, posting a maiden win at Newcastle, before making the leap into black-type company with a fine second to Libertad in the San Domenico Stakes (1100m).
He again showed he was up to the better three-year-olds with an encouraging runner-up finish behind boom colt and Golden Rose favourite Cylinder in The Run To The Rose (1200m) when he had to work early to cross from the widest gate.
“He’s come out of the Run To The Rose really well in what was a reasonably tough run,” Freedman said.
“From the outside gate he had to work pretty hard to cross them, so it was a great effort at only his third start.
“He has trained on well, I’m looking forward to next Saturday.
“He’s a pretty exciting young colt.”
Tyler Schiller has partnered Moravia in all three starts and again has the ride in Saturday’s Golden Rose (1400m).
While he is extending beyond 1200m for the first time, Freedman doesn’t expect the extra journey to be an issue, pointing out Moravia’s dam Our Crown Mistress was a Listed winner over the trip.
“I think he’ll probably enjoy it. His mum won over 1400,” Freedman said.
“if you look at the sectionals he ran (last start), his first 200 and 400 there, he ran about 10.3 (seconds) to cross them so he did a great job to hang on.
“I don’t have any qualms about the 14.”
Moravia is a $15 chance for the Golden Rose with Cylinder heading betting at $3.50, ahead of Golden Slipper winner Shinzo ($4.50) who resumes in the three-year-old showpiece.
Moravia’s stablemate Ducasse will be nominated for the Caulfield Guineas Prelude in Melbourne, but Freedman says he will only run from a good draw.
