Trish Dunell
Trainers Michael Moroney and Pam Gerard are eyeing autumn Sydney Classic targets with two of their runners after pleasing performances at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Pinmedown was victorious in the Gr.3 Sunline Vase (2100m) and will now head to Trentham later this month to contest the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m).
If she performs well there, Moroney indicated a trip across the Tasman is likely for the daughter of Pins.
“Our plan all the way through has been to get her across (to Australia) for something like the AJC Oaks (Gr.1, 2400m),” Moroney said.
“The New Zealand Oaks form usually reads quite well for that. It doesn’t look that strong a year to us, so if she performs well enough the AJC Oaks will be on the cards.”
Moroney was also pleased with Arrogant’s fourth-placing in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and he could join his stablemate across the Tasman with the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and Gr.1 Australian Derby likely targets.
“We have always been confident about this horse, he has any amount of ability,” Moroney said.
“He has been a little bit colty, but he is starting to wear that well now and Pam said all of a sudden he has quietened down and accepted he has to be a race horse.
“He could have a possible tilt at the Rosehill Guineas, into the Derby. I don’t think it is beyond him at all.”