The Mike Moroney stable hasn’t any big plans for lightly-raced four-year-old Dead End in the short term, saying it will be happy to see him progress through his grades.
The gelding, by leading stallion High Chaparral, resumes in Wednesday’s Betfair Handicap over 1200 metres at Sandown after showing above-average ability last spring.
The grey landed a betting plunge as odds-on favourite on Moe Cup day last October when he won an 1100m maiden by 1-1/4 lengths from handy filly Riverina’s Girl and they spaced the rest of the field by 5-1/2 lengths.
He was then sent out favourite in the TCL Electronics Plate over 1400m at Flemington on Oaks day but was beaten a long head when runner-up to King Cobweb before being sent to the paddock.
“The aim this preparation is just take him through his grades,” Moroney’s stable spokesman Anthony Feroce said.
“He has a bit more speed then most of the High Chaparrals. He’s probably a miler. He might get to 2000 metres.”
The equal topweight with 59kg with the Russell Cameron-trained six-year-old Song For Guy, Dead End will have leading heavyweight rider Steven Arnold in the saddle.
Dead End is $4.80 second pick with TAB Sportsbet behind the $3.50 favourite Exquisite Art from the all-conquering Peter Moody stable.
A four-year-old mare by Redoute’s Choice, Exquisite Art has had just one start for a 1-3/4-length win over Torrefy in a Moonee Valley 1000m maiden last October.
Luke Nolen will again take the ride on Exquisite Art.
The Moroney stable will rely on Elite Spy in the Ahern’s At Highways Handicap (1600m) as stablemate Absolutelyawesome has been scratched and reserved for Saturday’s Group One Randwick Guineas (1600m) at Warwick Farm.
Mark Zahra will take the ride on Elite Spy, a four-year-old gelding by Special Bond who has been racing well on provincial tracks with wins at Seymour and Kyneton followed by a fourth at Terang and a third at Mornington.
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