Trans Tasman trainer Michael Moroney’s decision to send an out-of-form Surpass home to New Zealand has reaped an immediate reward with a Group Three win.
Moroney took over the training of Surpass in Australia last year and he won races at Sandown, Mornington and Randwick.
But his recent form had been disappointing, prompting the change of scenery and the transfer to the Matamata stable run by Chad Ormsby.
It paid off with the six-year-old taking out Saturday’s Waikato Times Gold Cup (2400m) at Te Rapa.
“His form had been a little bit mixed and Mike and the racing manager Anthony Feroce sat down and hatched the plan,” Ormsby told NZ Racing Desk.
“I was glad to get the call that he was coming home.
“He had me a little worried during the week when he went a bit quiet, but he was bucking and kicking when we got him out of his paddock on race morning.”
Ridden by Opie Bosson, Surpass hit the front 200 metres from home.
“He travelled beautifully throughout and coming to the turn I had a lap full of horse,” Bosson said.
“I gave him a few back handers and he won quite easily.
Surpass beat Tempelten by 1-1/4 lengths with the same margin to Decorah.
The gelding will now be set for the Group Three City of Auckland Cup at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day.
