John Moloney hopes to return to the Gold Coast next month in search of some summer riches.
In 2017, Flying Jess gave Moloney his biggest payday as a trainer when successful in the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas at the Gold Coast.
It is another Gold Coast race, the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) on January 11, that Moloney has his eyes on.
But first Raison D’Rose needs to show she is worthy of making the trip which Moloney hopes she will do in the Magic Millions VIC 2YO Classic (1100m) at Caulfield Heath on Saturday.
A $180,000 purchase at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale at the Gold Coast in January, Raison D’Rose has had two jump-outs to prepare for Saturday’s debut.
“She won one at Cranbourne on Monday,” Moloney said.
“It wasn’t a quick time, but I’m actually not too worried about that. It was the way she went about it. The fact is that she didn’t run the time meant that she’s still good to go for Saturday.
“Had she run a quick running time, my thoughts would be that she might leave it on the track and not bring it to the races, but she’s definitely been showing nice promise in her work and her two jump outs have been quite naturally OK.”
Moloney parted with $180,000 for Raison D’Rose as a yearling having purchased Scorched Earth, also as a yearling.
Both the dam of Raison D’Rose and the dam of Scorched Earth were by Exceed And Excel.
“She looked a racy type,” Moloney said of Raison D’Rose.
“She’s not big but a sound type and she’s out of an Exceed and Excel mare.
“I bought Scorched Earth, and she was out of an Exceed And Excel mare, so I like the idea of using Exceed And Excel mares as they can put a bit of up and go in in your horses.
“I might have had one more expensive than her (Raison D’Rose) a few years ago, but in the last few years this is as much as I’ve had to pay for one.
“Lucky we were able to sell her. We put her in a women’s syndicate group, there’s 20 women involved and that was a good way to sell her.”
Moloney said his recent bad run with barrier draws continued with Raison D’Or drawing the extreme outside gate in the 11-horse field.
But Moloney tried putting a positive spin on the draw.
“I take the point of view of Gai Waterhouse, you do the best you can from any barrier you get,” Moloney said.
“Being last in might give her a clear lead out of the gates.
“Sometimes with two-year-olds you can draw a good gate, and you step, they move around a fair bit, and you cop bumps straight away, so I’m just praying for luck that the barrier will be OK.”
