Mike Moroney will cart a big team to Geelong on Wednesday and the in-form Flemington horseman is confident his first runner can set the tone for the day.
Russian Revolution gelding Mighty Sapphire makes his return in the three-year-old maiden that is the second race on the card.
The 1200-metre event will be the first start for the three-quarter-brother to Sizzling since a debut fourth placing in a Sale maiden won by subsequent Caulfield Guineas Prelude runner-up Meridius in June and Moroney is happy with the way he has come to hand.
“He’s had a nice break and he’s trialled up nicely,” Moroney said.
“He’s one that we’ve always liked a bit and he’s forward enough for his first run this campaign.”
Mighty Sapphire, who is the eighth to race from the General Nediym mare Admirelle, has taken part in two Flemington jumpouts in preparation for his return; a second placing on the synthetic track on October 21 and a third placing on the inside grass track on November 11.
Mighty Sapphire, who has drawn barrier eight in the field of 12, will be ridden by Jamie Mott, while Moroney’s other Geelong runner under the Rupert Legh colours is Kiwi recruit Exzello, who will be ridden by John Allen.
The son of Shamexpress brilliantly won a 1400m maiden at Rotorua in April before coming to Australia and Moroney was left scratching his head after his first-up sixth placing in a Pakenham BM64 on November 4 but has seen positive signs since.
“It was a bit of a mystery, his first run here,” Moroney said.
“He was very disappointing but he seems to have come on all right and he’s been a lot better (at home) than what he raced first-up.”
Exzello has drawn barrier four in the 1500m Class 1, which has drawn a field of 13.
In between Mighty Sapphire and Exzello, Moroney will be represented by another gelding who started his career in New Zealand, Our Total Recall, who will contest the 1500m maiden.
Reliable Man mare Sigourney resumes in the 1300m BM64 that is the seventh race on the card with Preferment gelding Horace to chase a third-up win in the 1700m BM64 that rounds out the card.
