The Pendragon (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) will attempt to make it back-to-back wins for the Kiwis in the Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.
The three-year-old feature was won last year by the Ken and Bev Kelso-trained Legarto (NZ) (Proisir), and trainer Michael Moroney is keen for the NZ suffix to feature prominently in this year’s result.
Formerly in the care of Moroney’s New Zealand training partner Pam Gerard, where he raced as Pendragon, the son of U S Navy Flag had won three and placed in one of his seven starts in his homeland, including the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) at Pukekohe on Boxing Day.
He capped his New Zealand career with a runner-up performance behind Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) favourite Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel) in last month’s $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), and Moroney is hoping his New Zealand form stands up across the Tasman.
The Flemington trainer has been pleased with the way his charge has progressed since his jumpout at Werribee last week and is looking forward to him making his Australian debut this weekend.
“He’s progressed well. We made the decision to get him over here earlier rather than later and give him a chance to settle in, so he’s been here around three weeks now and he’s settled into the environment really well,” Moroney said.
“The jumpout was just what we planned for him, it’s worked out perfect. He did a little bit on Saturday, just by himself quietly, then he had a hit-out with Run Harry Run this morning. It was a decent hit-out, the strongest work they’ll do, and they both worked together lovely.”
Moroney is hoping The Pendragon’s impeccable starting manners will be a big assist on Saturday.
“He just flies the gates, probably as quick as I’ve seen for a while,” he said. “He puts himself on the speed and he keeps going, he’s a horse that can race up in the first three and he’s pretty tough.
“It’s a Group One race, it’s never easy, it’s just hard to measure up the New Zealand form, but I’m pretty sure it’s pretty strong, so it’s going to make for a very interesting race.”
The winner of Saturday’s contest will secure a golden ticket for the A$4 million All-Star Mile (1600m) on March 16.
“If they happen to win and get a nomination for it, we will be running, we’ll be taking our chance,” Moroney said.