Former Kiwi galloper Pendragon (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) got his Australian campaign off to the best possible start at Werribee on Monday, comfortably winning his 1100m jumpout for trainer Michael Moroney.
Purchased by Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Ballymore Stables out of Valachi Downs’ 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 Yearling Sale draft for $110,000, Pendragon was initially trained in New Zealand by Moroney, alongside his Matamata training partner Pam Gerard, for whom he won three and placed in one of his seven starts.
The son of U S Navy Flag was victorious in the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) at Pukekohe on Boxing Day before finishing runner-up behind Orchestral in the $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) at Ellerslie a month later.
Moroney has been pleased with the way Pendragon has settled in at his Flemington barn and is looking forward to testing him in the Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at his new home track next month.
“I am really happy with him, he arrived here in great order,” Moroney told Racing.com.
“He is a little on the fresh side, but I am sure with that jumpout and a bit of extra work, hopefully he will be at his best for this mile race (Australian Guineas).
“I am lucky that I have got Run Harry Run, who blew out on Saturday, and he is going to take a bit of work too. They will be nice mates for each other (working towards the Guineas).”
Moroney believes his New Zealand form will stand-up to an Australian autumn prep, and he is looking forward to testing that out in the Guineas.
“I think the filly (Orchestral) that beat Pendragon (in the Karaka Millions) would easily line-up here,” he said. “She went on and won the (Avondale) Guineas (Gr.2, 2100m) by four (lengths). She looks very good and his run was really good against her.
“I am thinking that the form in New Zealand is quite strong, but he is going to be the telltale because he has been around it all season.”
