Mike Moroney has seen a few good horses in this time as a trainer so his description of Tasman Park having a “really good racing brain” must say something as the gelding recorded his third win from as many starts.
Stepping up to the 1600 metres of the Thoroughbred Club Australia Handicap on a Good 4 rated surface, this victory followed wins over 1100 metres on a heavy track on debut at Bendigo on October 26 and another over 1300 metres on a soft track on Sandown Lakeside on November 16.
By Cox Plate-winning sire Ocean Park, Moroney is open minded as to how far the four-year-old could progress but hints that reaching 2400 metres may not be out of the question.
“He’s certainly going the right way and he’s a lovely horse,” Moroney said.
“For a lightly raced horse his racing brain is very good.
“He flew the gates but we didn’t really want to ride him there (as) we wanted to find out if he got the mile and got his chance.
“He came straight back, switched off, and switched on again when he (jockey Jamie Mott) wanted him to.
“He doesn’t quite know how to put them away yet and still does a bit wrong but he’ll pick that up.”
Jamie Mott was just as positive about a horse with ability.
“I think anything they throw in front of him he’ll be more than capable of, and I think he’s a really nice horse in the making,” Mott said.
“He was only just doing enough in the end to hold off those horses but very similar to last time when he just floated (to the line).
“If he’s going to float and keep the other horses at bay, he can float all he wants.”
Moroney suggested that a break now lies ahead for Tasman Park.
“We put him in the paddock when he came to us as he didn’t have a lot on him. He still looks well and has kept his condition on. I’m surprised,” Moroney added.
Tasman Park ($5.50) beat home Netenyahu ($15) by ½-length with fast finishing Oceana Blue ($8) third.
