Melbourne Cup winning trainer Mike Moroney isn’t frightened to test his lightly raced three year old Marwood in top class company and will set him on a path towards the Group 1 $1m BECK Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 12.
Marwood could come up against Prince Harada, above, (green, white cap) if he goes to the Caulfield Guineas. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
Marwood made it two wins from two starts with a four and a half lengths trouncing of his opposition in the 0-64 Handicap over 1400m at Bendigo on Sunday and Moroney quickly pencilled in the Group 3 $175,000 BECK Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield on September 29.
“He’s a good horse we think and we’re going to give him the chance to show us too,” Moroney told Racing Network.
“He’ll go to the Caulfield Guineas Prelude next and hopefully onto the Guineas.”
“He’s always shown us a lot and he proved a bit to us yesterday.
“I know it’s throwing him right in the deep-end going to the Guineas Prelude, but I think he’s up to it.”
Marwood’s easy win at Bendigo on Sunday came as no surprise with the O’Reilly gelding winning by four and three quarter lengths over 1200m at Seymour three weeks prior.
Winning rider Nicholas Hall’s thoughts mirror that of Moroney’s and he thinks the three year old will have no trouble handling the step up in grade.
“His first start was a maiden on a heavy track, but I think this seals it and proves that he’s the real deal today,” Hall told Racing Victoria.
“He’s going to be definitely up there and I think he’s going to be competitive this Spring for sure.”
After Sunday’s win Marwood has climbed up the Caulfield Guineas market order and is now a $16 chance with the Tony Vasil trained Prince Harada heading the betting at $4.60 just in front of last Saturday’s Flemington winner Long John.
The David Hayes trained Fast ‘N’ Rocking, who beat Prince Harada in the Group 3 $150,000 H.D.F. McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on August 31, is well in the betting at $6.50 with the unlucky Sidestep next in the market order at $12.
