Trainer Mike Moroney is hopeful Viking Hero and Quarterbar can further strengthen the stable’s fortunes for the winter staying races at Doomben on Saturday.
Moroney has a strong hand in the Group One Doomben Cup (2020m) at Doomben on May 21 following the outstanding Australian debut from English import Glass Harmonium who ran second in the Group Two Hollindale Stakes at the Gold Coast last Saturday.
Viking Hero is set to make his return to Queensland in the Group Three Chairman’s Handicap (2020m) while Quarterbar contests the Group Three Rough Habit Plate over the same distance.
Glen Boss, who is returning from Singapore to ride Hay List in the Group One BTC Cup (1200m), will ride Viking Hero while Larry Cassidy retains the mount on Quarterbar.
“I was really pleased with Glass Harmonium’s run in the Hollindale and I think he’s got a great chance of turning the tables on the winner (My Kingdom Of Fife) in the Doomben Cup.”
“Viking Hero has been in Queensland for the last three weeks and has settled in nicely.
“He’ll run this Saturday then probably in the Eagle Farm Stakes before the Brisbane Cup.”
The Group Two Brisbane Cup (2400m) will be run at Eagle Farm on June 11.
Viking Hero campaigned in Brisbane last winter but did not go on to the Group One Queensland Derby following failures in the Rough Habit Plate and Grand Prix Stakes at Doomben.
The son of Elvstroem has won only two of his 18 starts but one of those was at Group Three level in the Eclipse Stakes (1800m) on the Hillside course at Sandown last November.
The four-year-old resumed this campaign with a placing at Caulfield in March before failing in the Group Three Doncaster Prelude (1600m) and Group One Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick last month.
“He found weight-for-age a bit too hard for him in the Queen Elizabeth and he wasn’t suited by the heavy track,” Moroney said.
“He drew the outside that day and got too far back and couldn’t run on.
“I’m overlooking his form here last winter. He was a bit disappointing but he was probably at the end of his tether.
“He’s much stronger now and he should run well.”
Moroney is looking the Group One Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 11 with Quarterbar.
The son of Oratorio gave the impression he will stay with a fast-finishing second to Break The Ice in an 1800-metre race at Eagle Farm last week.
“His last run was very good and he’s trained on well,” Moroney said.
AAP TURF
