Mike Moroney’s belief that lightly raced six-year-old Hinemoa is a Group One class mare could be tested as early as the end of the month in the Myer Classic at Flemington.
Ridden by Lisa Cropp, the daughter of Elusive City was resuming in Saturday’s Listed Sportingbet Sprint Series Final (1200m) and flashed home late to score an impressive win.
Despite confidence from the Moroney stable, she drifted from $18 to $20 before scoring by a neck from Celts ($9) and consistent mare Lady Mahler ($11).
Mark Kavanagh-trained $2.40 favourite Valentine Miss was close up fourth.
Hinemoa has won five of her 14 starts and Moroney had hoped to run her in the Group One Telegraph Handicap (1200m) in New Zealand earlier this year, but she didn’t get a start as an emergency.
Moroney said Hinemoa later suffered chronic feet trouble and her autumn campaign was terminated.
“She is a really good mare and has got form around King Mufhasa,” Moroney said.
“We think she is up to Group One company in New Zealand so we brought her over here.
“She came over looking backward and hairy but really came right the last three or four weeks.
“We will have think about her next run but we might have a go at the Myer.”
King Mufhasa travelled over from New Zealand to take out the Group One Toorak Handicap on the Caulfield program.
The Group One Myer Classic (1600m) is restricted to fillies and mares at Flemington on October 29.
“She won a black type race in New Zealand and another one today so a Group One would be great,” Moroney said.
AAP TURF
