Group 1 Goal for Merion (NZ)

The Group 1 Caulfield Guineas is on the horizon for kiwi galloper Merion (NZ) (O’Reilly) following his triumph in the Listed A$120,000 Living Legends Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Saturday.

Merion (NZ) (inside) triumphs narrowly in the Listed Living Legends Stakes at Flemington.

Trained by kiwi Mike Moroney, Merion defeated boom colt Chivalry (Street Cry) by a short head in a close finish, putting him on track for Group 1 targets this spring following a slightly disappointing fourth last start in the McKenzie Stakes at Moonee Valley.

“When you put your neck on the block, which I have during the week by stating he is a Group class horse, it is good to be vindicated,” commented Moroney. “We knew the way he worked Tuesday he was close to his best again and he impressed us with the way he did it.

“It was a good ride by Steven Arnold but they were the best three-year-olds in the land on paper at the moment so it was a good effort.”

Travelling in fifth position for most of the race with leading rider Steven Arnold aboard, Merion was given plenty of time to wind up in the straight. The son of O’Reilly dashed to the front inside the 200m with race-favourite Chivalry chasing him hard. As Chivalry loomed to challenge, Merion fought back, winning in a determined finish.

Fellow Karaka graduate Zebulon (NZ) (All American) put in an eye-catching run, flying home from the back of the field after missing the start to finish third, only 1.1 lengths from the winner.

Merion is following the same path as last year’s Group 1 Caulfield Guineas winner Long John (Street Cry) who won the exact same maiden at Bendigo as a two-year-old before winning the Listed Anzac Day Stakes, as did Merion, and Long John was third in the Listed Mckenzie Stakes at Moonee Valley before winning the Listed Living Legends Stakes one year ago.

Long John was third in the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude before taking out the ultimate prize, the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas, and Merion will look to follow the same path.

“At this stage we will run in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude, which we are keen on doing, and then into the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas,” said Moroney.

“He does give the impression he is going to relax well enough, at times as a two-year-old we did wonder whether he would relax but he gives the indication now he will. Steven Arnold rides his work and said to me he is far more relaxed this time around and is a good chance of staying.”

With a record of three wins from four starts, Merion has earned $159,900 for his owners Miss K S Glindemann, R & C Legh Racing Pty Ltd, Mr J A O'Neill, Mr B D Nettlefold, Mr A L Kirkwood-Scott, Carty Racing, Mr S J Cowan, Mrs C K Cowan, Mr P M Mehrten, Mrs S J Smith, Mr L A Smith, Gurners Bloodstock Co, Mr R Oppy & Mr V Ruiu.

Bred by Kevin Hickman, who also bred Vespa (NZ) (Elusive City) who was a Listed winner in New Zealand on Saturday and is the breeder/owner of Group 1 mare Silent Achiever (NZ) (O’Reilly), Merion is out of Listed winner Sapphire Belle (Danske) who is out of a half-sister to four-time Group 1 winner Alibhai (Noble Bijou).

Paul Moroney, brother of Mike, purchased Merion for NZ$200,000 at the 2013 Karaka Premier Sale from Kevin Hickman’s Valachi Downs.