Trainer Mike Moroney has confirmed that promising three-year-olds Tivaci and Tulsa will both contest the 2016 CS Hayes Stakes at Flemington this weekend.
Tulsa (outside) was narrowly denied by Bon Aurum in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude. Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos
Moroney included both horses in the nominations for the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) as well as the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens in Sydney, but Moroney revealed yesterday that he only include the pair in the Sydney nominations because he was worried that the pair would not be guaranteed a place in the CS Hayes Stakes field.
Tivaci and Tulsa have both secured a place in the CS Hayes Stakes after only 16 horses were included in the nominations and both horses are set to take reasonable form into the Group 3 event this weekend.
Tivaci stamped himself as a horse to follow when he finished a strong second behind Ayers Rock in the Listed UCI Stakes (1800m) at Flemington on October 4, but he failed to beat home a runner when he stepped up to 2000 metres for the Group 3 Ladbrokes Caulfield Classic (2000m).
He produced an improved performance when he finished his spring campaign in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on October 31 and he returned to the races with a good win at Pakenham on February 4.
Tulsa started his 2015 Spring Racing Carnival campaign with a maiden race win at Pakenham on August 25 and he did not have a great deal of luck in the Listed Exford Plate (1400m) at Flemington on September 12, but he stamped himself as a genuine Caulfield Guineas contender with a fast-finishing second behind Bon Aurum in the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield on September 26.
The Sebring gelding was sent to the spelling paddock after he finished a credible eighth in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 11 and he returned to the races with another eighth place finish in the Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 6.
Moroney is yet to decide what path either horse will follow during their autumn campaigns, but both horses have been included in the nominations for the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m), Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m), Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) and Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).
Moroney is chasing his first win in the Australian Guineas after previously finishing third with Jokers Wild in the 2007 edition of the race, which included Miss Finland, Casino Prince, Haradasun and Efficient.
