Flemington trainer Michael Moroney is looking to add another runner to his Group 1 starters in the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival with three-year-old Quarterbar taking on favourite Chateau Fort at Doomben on Saturday.
While the talk of the town in Brisbane is firmly focused on celebrity sprinter Black Caviar vying for her 13th straight win in Saturday’s Group 1 BTC Cup, another one of the quality races on the Doomben card is the $125,000 Group 3 Mittys Rough Habit Plate (2020m).
A capacity field of gallopers have been accepted for the staying showdown with Paul Messara’s last start winner of the Group 3 Gunsynd Classic (1600m) at Eagle Farm Chateau Fort leading the Rough Habit odds at $3.40.
Another single-figure chance in the markets is Moroney’s progressive Oratorio colt Quarterbar who is looking to secure a start in the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 11.
Last start Quarterbar showed good form in their maiden Queensland run when second to Break The Ice in the Class 3 Coca-Cola Amatil Plate over 1800m at Eagle Farm on May 4.
“His last run was very good and he’s trained on well,” Moroney said.
Quarterbar is currently rated a $51 roughie for the Queensland Derby with Shootoff the firm favourite at $5.50 after Graeme Rogerson’s Duelled gelding won their last two starts.
Moroney already has a very strong had in the Brisbane features this season after his European import Glass Harmonium soared into Doomben Cup favouritism when running a close second to the Chris Waller-trained My Kingdom Of Fife in the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) last Saturday.
“I was really pleased with Glass Harmonium’s run in the Hollindale and I think he’s got a great chance of turning the tables on the winner (My Kingdom Of Fife) in the Doomben Cup,” Moroney said.
Verglas five-year-old Glass Harmonium is now the $4 favourite to win the $500,000 Group 1 Doomben Cup (2020m) on May 21 ahead of fellow import My Kingdom Of Fife, unbeaten in Australia and a Group 1 winner here, at $4.20.
At Doomben on Saturday Moroney will also saddle up four-year-old Viking Hero in the $115,000 Group 3 Chairman’s Handicap (2020m).
Elvstreom gelding Viking Hero resumes after running a distant tenth beaten 12 lengths by My Kingdom Of Fife in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on April 23.
Champion hoop Glen Boss, who also has the prized mount on Hay List for his battle with the beast Black Caviar in the BTC Cup, will ride Viking Hero on Saturday from barrier 12.
“He’ll run this Saturday then probably in the Eagle Farm Stakes before the Brisbane Cup,” Moroney said of Viking Hero.
The Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2400m) runs on Stradbroke Handicap Day at the end of the carnival, June 11.
