Moroney Lands Karaka Quinella in Night Cup

Trans-Tasman trainer Mike Moroney dominated Friday’s A$200,000 Listed Measure Engineering Torney Night Cup (2500m) at Moonee Valley, finishing first and second with horses who were bought from New Zealand Bloodstock Sales.

The race was won by Swords Drawn (Camelot), who was bought by his part-owner and former trainer Shaune Ritchie for $140,000 from the 2017 Premier Sale at Karaka. He is now the winner of seven of his 42 starts, with 12 placings and A$468,854 in stakes. Runner-up and stablemate Nerve Not Verve (NZ) (Shocking) cost $60,000 at the 2017 Select Sale and has earned A$643,783.

Swords Drawn brought a promising form line into Friday night’s feature, having been a strong-finishing second placegetter in both of his previous two starts. Well ridden by Craig Williams from a wide gate, he went one better with a convincing staying performance, kicking away to score by a length and three-quarters.

“I have to thank my manager and team, we got on this horse at the right time,” Williams said. “He’s been building very nicely for Mike and his owners coming into tonight’s Listed race.

“We just had to work out what to do from the outside barrier draw. I had an open mind and trusted the horse, and it worked out really nicely.

“We were able to get across and into a good position going past the winning post after 400 metres, which was good after jumping from that outside barrier.

“When they put the pressure on, I felt that we were going to be a little bit outpaced, but then he really came good for me.

“In the end he was really quite dominant, and most importantly, he’ll gain some confidence from tonight’s win.”

Swords Drawn is now a dual stakes winner, having previously captured last year’s Listed Hawke’s Bay Cup (2200m). Williams believes the seven-year-old could be an ideal candidate to raise that number to three in the A$300,000 Group Two Adelaide Cup (3200m) at Morphettville on March 13.

“This race was always been a good lead-up race and a strong indication for Melbourne horses that are going towards the Adelaide Cup,” Williams said. “I think he definitely fits that bill. He’s a horse that just seems to be improving throughout this preparation.”