Could Nick Moratiz win a second Melbourne cup from the same sire? Maluckyday has firmed considerably after his impressive win in The Lexus Stakes on Saturday and Nick will be hoping for a second Melbourne Cup after winning the race with Might And Power 13 years ago.
Maluckyday could be one of the suprise packets to emerge from this years Spring Racing Carnival. Sold at the New Zealand premier yearling sale in 2008 for 625k, this lightly raced 4 year old may possibly secure Nick Moratiz another cup. Nick appeared in the public spotlight in 1997 when Might and Power did the Cups Double. Winning the Caulfield Cup thrashing his rivals by 7.5 lengths and then backing it up 3 weeks later in the Melbourne Cup in which he only just won beating home Doreimus, who had won the 1995 Melbourne Cup.
Maluckyday winning The Lexus Stakes on Saturday - sportpix.com.au
Might and Power’s breeding was impeccable, Zabeel x Benediction (IRE) and his half brother is nothing short of it aswell. Maluckyday, Zabeel x Natalie Wood.
His dam Natalie Wood was undefeated, winning 2 from 2 at 1600m. She has only produced 2 foals, Maluckyday and the other is yet to hit the track.
Maluckyday wasn’t raced until he was a late 3yo, and in his 3rd ever start was placed behind this years Caulfield Cup winner Descarado on a slow track in the Tulloch Stakes (G2).
This early sign that the gelding handles the cut out of the ground was proven on derby day, coming from second last to thrash his rivals in the Group 3 Lexus Stakes. After getting pushed around 200m into the race, he settled well. The patience of veteran hoop Jim Cassidy, didn’t see the horse pushed out until clear running room was presented around the 400m mark down the Flemington straight.
A post race interview with Wayne Hawkes made punters wary of whether they should dive into betting on the Melbourne Cup depending whether he would “eat all his food or not” would be an inclination to his start.
However this comment didnt stop the punters, post race for the cup he was 81-1 now into 3rd favorite for the race at 10-1.
If you like to stick with the Bart Cummings preparation method of getting 10km under their legs, Maluckyday is spot on covering exactly 10,000m this preparation. Winning 4 out of 5 races by decent margins, one would expect the extra 700m step up from the Lexus would be ideal and prove no issue.
Might and Power being the team at Just Horse Racing’s favourite horse, hope to add another Moratiz horse to the list.
Written by Ryan Jukes
