Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Mike Moroney has unveiled plans for the horse he hopes can give him a second win in the famous race.
Moroney, who trained Brew to win in 2000, was in his native New Zealand on Wednesday as an ambassador for the Melbourne Cup tour with the trophy on show at the Hobbiton movie set in Matamata.
With Sydney Cup runner-up Vengeur Masque sidelined by injury, Moroney will rely on German import Sound in 2019.
“His run in the Sydney Cup was very good when eighth and his run in the BMW (Tancred) – we had to rush him to get him there.
“He ran in the Australian Cup and he hardly had any fast work going to that because he had feet trouble when I brought him back in.
“I thought he did a good job. He should have run second to Avilius in the BMW but for a bit of pilot error and he ran fourth.
“I have learnt a lot about him. It should really be his year. He can stay and he was a good stayer in Germany.
“We will barrier trial him at Cranbourne next week and then go to the Makybe Diva.
“He will go from there to the Turnbull and the Caulfield Cup.
“It depends what he does in the Caulfield Cup and how he comes through it as to whether we give him another run or go straight to the Melbourne Cup.”
The trainer said he was thrilled to be able to take the Cup to Matamata.
“I am very proud to be an ambassador,” Moroney said.
“It is a great race and this is the first time it has come to my hometown so it is a privilege to be here with it.”
Moroney’s grandparents bred 1960 winner Hi Jinx.
“I never thought when I was a kid looking at the photo of Hi Jinx winning that I would ever win one myself,” Moroney said.
The trophy also visited Rich Hill Stud where 2015 winner Prince Of Penzance was bred.
The stud’s managing director John Thompson is hoping to strike again as a breeder with Adelaide Cup winner Surprise Baby.
“He is right up there in terms of Australasian contenders for the race and it would be lovely for a son of Shocking (2009 Cup winner), who stands here at the farm, to win the race.,” he said.
