A horror barrier draw won’t cause any major problems for backmarker Moriarty in the Group 1 $1m Carlton Draught-Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot in Perth on Saturday.
Moriarty has to overcome a wide barrier in the Railway Stakes at Ascot. Photo by Steve Hart.
Chris Waller’s stable representative and track work rider Johanne Taylor expects Moriarty to go back from the wide barrier in the sixteen horse field and have the last run at the leaders in the straight.
“The draw is not ideal but he does go back so I don’t think it will be too much to his disadvantage,” Taylor told Perth Racing News.
“We will just let him slot in behind and have a last crack at them.”
Moriarty drew barrier nineteen in the original draw of sixteen plus four emergencies and will jump from gate fifteen if the all the reserves fail to get a run with Nash Rawiller to ride.
Taylor put Moriarty through his paces on Wednesday morning and was happy with the way the seven year old completed the final 400m of his work out.
“I was very pleased with his work,” Taylor said.
“He had a bit of a look around because it was his first look at the track.
“But once he got down to business he worked nicely.
“He went a good three-quarter pace and then the last two furlongs he kind of lengthened out his stride and had a good blow.
“He did good work, but nothing over the top.”
Waller is having an outstanding season to date and a win by Moriarty in the Railway Stakes would be the leading trainer’s eighth Group 1 win for the 2014-2015 racing season after winning the Victoria Derby (Preferment), Coolmore Stud Stakes (Brazen Beau), Thousand Guineas (Amicus), Epsom Handicap (He’s Your Man), The Metropolitan (Junoob), George Main Stakes (Sacred Falls) and Underwood Stakes (Foreteller).
Moriarty was a winner three starts back in the Group 3 $125,000 APN Outdoor Craven Plate (2000m) at Randwick on October 4 but was unplaced at his two runs in Melbourne during the Spring Carnival.
The English import raced in the middle of the field when fourteenth in the Group 1 $3m Crown Golden Ale Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 18 then was always well back when eighth in the Group 1 $1m Longines Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on November 1.
Waller has freshened up Moriarty after his Mackinnon Stakes run and will head to the Group 1 $500,000 TAB Touch – Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot on December 6 after the Railway Stakes.
Moriarty is currently marked as a $17 chance for the Railway Stakes with Ladbrokes.com.au who have The Cleaner the favourite at $4.80 just ahead of the Grant Williams trained pair of Respondent at $6 and Elite Belle at $7.50.
Balmont Girl is next in the betting at $10 with Mr Moet at $13 alongside of Smokin’ Joey and Alma’s Fury while Bass Strait has firmed slightly to be at $14.
