Mike Moroney is keen to have another go at a Group One race with Tivaci, but first the colt will be out to get his campaign back on track in the Bendigo Guineas.
After winning at Pakenham first-up and then claiming the Group Three CS Hayes Stakes on protest, Tivaci went to the Group One Australian Guineas last start but things didn’t pan out how Moroney had hoped.
Tivaci
Tivaci had to make a long run around the field under jockey Nick Hall before weakening over the final 200m to finish 12th.
“He was going to get the drop on the first two home and whether he was going to outsprint them or not was going to be the question,” Moroney said.
“But he didn’t get an opportunity to do that.
“Nick said he got caught unawares and (Tivaci) got pulling hard.”
Moroney said he had been looking to head to the Group One Doncaster Mile if Tivaci had won the Australian Guineas.
The colt is back in distance and class in Saturday’s Listed Bendigo Guineas (1400m).
And Tivaci will carry a number of gear changes with a cross-over noseband and ear muffs added, while a near-side blinker and near-side bubble cheeker have been removed.
“We’re not worried about the drop back in trip on Saturday,” Moroney said.
“We’d still like to have a go at Group One race in Sydney if we can at some stage.
“It might be an All Aged Stakes or something like that. We’ll just see. We’ll have to take it a step at a time now to get back on track.”
Steven Arnold will ride Tivaci on Saturday in a field of 14.
