Run Harry Run (+1200) proved too strong in the Group 3 Blue Sapphire Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday, producing his third-straight win of the preparation in the process.
The Michael Moroney-trained gelding pinged the lids from barrier three and held his position just behind the speed.
Brave Mead (+270) elected to take up the running under Mark Zahra as he looked to take luck out of the equation from barrier eight and was able to clock a cheap sectional or two.
It allowed Daniel Stackhouse to smoke the pipe aboard Run Harry Run and when peeling off his back with 300m to travel, put pay to his rivals to score a relatively dominant victory on the wire.
Arkansaw Kid (+250) was a drifting favourite leading into the race, but from near-last was impressive storming into a third-place finish, while Brave Mead battled gamely to hold the runner-up spot.
2023 Blue Sapphire Stakes Replay – Run Harry Run | T: Mike Moroney | J: Daniel Stackhouse
It was all honours to the winner in the end, as Run Harry Run continues to build a strong profile for the Michael Moroney barn, and the man himself was on course to see the success.
“We saw this race a while again and thought that he was up to it,” said Moroney.
“It has worked out perfectly.
“He probably should have been unbeaten now.
“He got that heavy that he was having front leg troubles so we decided to geld him. He’s got a great brain and a lovely attitude then he goes out there, smells the daisies and doesn’t concentrate.”
Daniel Stackhouse was glowing about the performance post-race and suggested the Sandown Guineas could be an option for the stable.
“Scripted pretty well for us,” said Stackhouse.
“We wanted to be positive from that inside barrier.
“We got a lovely run in transit. My bloke is so green and raw still but the more you ask the more he keeps improving.
“I felt like I was going to get there but he just took a while.
“He just seems to keep improving and every target you throw at him he seems to pass. Mike (Moroney) and his team have done a fantastic job.
“Sandown Guineas is only two weeks away so we’ll see how the horse pulls up and Mike knows what he’s doing.”
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