Mike Moroney has called on a gear change in an effort to straighten out erratic colt Tivaci.
Tivaci lines up in the Caulfield Classic on Saturday and will have a bubble cheeker and a one-eye blinker on the nearside in an effort to stop him running in.
The three-year-old lugged in when second in the UCI Stakes at Flemington at his last start, costing Damien Oliver a 10-meeting suspension.
Moroney rates Tivaci as the best three-year-old in his stable but he is desperate to iron out his waywardness.
“He’s a very smart horse and if he puts his best foot forward he’s the one to beat,” Moroney said.
Moroney said Tivaci would strip fitter his second placing at Flemington when rising in distance from 1400m to 1800m.
He said he was unsure whether the son of High Chaparral would continue on to the Victoria Derby at Flemington on October 31.
“It’s been a race at a time with him and this may be his last run this campaign,” Moroney said.
“I’ve got a little doubt whether he’d get past 2000 metres but if we think he’s a chance then we may run him.”
Moroney has the maiden filly Wichita Woman lining up in the Ethereal Stakes with a VRC Oaks start a possibility.
The High Chaparral filly has had two starts, finishing a last start second at Ballarat on September 30.
“She’s a late foal and I’m surprised she’s got this far really,” Moroney said.
“We threw her in the deep end before she had much practice before her first start and then she ran a slashing race at Ballarat behind a pretty good filly.
“She’s going to keep improving and be better in the autumn.”
