Rhythm to Stakes Success

Kiwi galloper Rhythm to Spare (NZ) (Pins) produced a career-best performance with a dominant stakes victory in the Group 3 A$150,320 Tapestry Shiraz R A Lee Stakes (1600m) at Morphettville yesterday.

The son of Pins started as race-favourite following a strong last-start victory at Flemington for trainer Mike Moroney, after two disappointing runs in Sydney when being aimed at the Group 1 Doncaster Handicap.

“I thought it was a most impressive victory,” commented Moroney. “He got a long way back, came to the outside and picked them up to win pulling up. He showed a really good turn of foot and is a lot stronger now.”

Damien Oliver dropped the NZ$100,000 Karaka Premier Sale graduate to third last from the outside barrier in the 14-horse field. Rhythm to Spare travelled into the race nicely cornering for home and quickly dashed to the lead near the 250m mark before asserting his authority, winning by 3.5 lengths over Starkiato (Starcraft) and Gig (Commands), with plenty more in hand.

“He is pretty lightly raced and is learning to relax more during the running now,” said Moroney.

“He was a bit of a fierce running horse at times but he has learnt to relax and produce himself at the right time. It has taken a while to get him to do that but he has the talent and it is a matter of harnessing that and it looks as though he is starting to do that.

“He is more than likely going to the paddock now - there is talk about going to the Stradbroke but I’m leaning towards the paddock.

“The first thing Damien Oliver mentioned was the Stradbroke, he said he is in great form and could be worth taking up there. He has done a lot of travelling though and I want to turn him out on a good note, sometimes you can go to the well too often.”

Yesterday’s victory was the four-year-old’s sixth from 16 starts, earning A$331,470 for a large group of owners headed by Moroney along with G G Ltd, Mr J A O'Neill, Carty Racing, Mr A Dunne, Mr M Pejic, Mrs J Pejic, Mr G Devonport, Ms J A N Lee, Mr M G Dominello, Mrs E Dominello, Mr R S Scheriani, Mrs A Scheriani, Mr B D Nettlefold & R & C Legh Racing Pty Ltd.

Rhythm to Spare started his career in New Zealand with two second placings in his first two starts before being transferred to Moroney’s Melbourne stable.

Bred by Sir Peter & Philip Vela, Rhythm to Spare is out of Group 1 Avondale Cup runner-up Stanica (Zabeel), the dam of three runners that have all been winners.

Rhythm to Spare’s sire Pins sired another stakes winner on Saturday with Karaka graduate Pretty Pins (NZ) winning at Doomben. Pins has 10 weanlings catalogued in NZB’s National Weanling Sale tomorrow (12 May).

Rhythm to Spare’s dam sire Zabeel also enjoyed a good day, siring Group 3 winner Rezoned (NZ) (Zabeel) earlier on the programme at Morphettville and Listed winner Zephyron (NZ) (Zabeel) in Sydney.

Trainer Mike Moroney’s brother and bloodstock agent Paul Moroney purchased Rhythm to Spare for $100,000 at the 2011 Karaka Premier Sale.