After running fourth in last year’s race, the Chris Waller-trained Moriarty is back for a second shot at the Eagle Farm Cup this weekend.
Brisbane Cup-bound Moriarty heads Saturday's Eagle Farm Cup 2014 field. Photo: Steve Hart.
Scheduled to run as Race 3 at 1:05pm on Saturday’s Queensland Oaks Day program, this year’s $250,000 Group 2 Merlo Coffee Eagle Farm Cup (2200m) features a field of just seven final acceptors.
Due to jump from the inside alley with Nash Rawiller in the saddle is Clodovil six-year-old Moriarty for Waller who was fourth to Quintessential in the event last Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival.
This year they face another small field and have been in good form, most recently running a credible fifth behind Streama in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) on May 17.
They’ll appreciate the extra distance on Saturday then and the step back in class.
Also coming via the Doomben Cup are fellow Eagle Farm Cup hopes Akzar and Mr O’Ceirin.
Darren Weir’s Selkirk seven-year-old Akzar went one better than Moriarty when finishing two and a quarter lengths away fourth on the back of a big six length Listed Warnambool Cup (2350m) victory from the start of the month.
The Ciaron Maher-trained Postponed six-year-old Mr O’Ceirin meanwhile finished seventh after earlier running second to Streama in the Hollindale Stakes, an effort they’ll be out to improve on here.
Another stayer in top form leading up to Saturday’s clash is then the John O’Shea-trained Tiger Hill mare Wistful.
The improving four-year-old has run second in her three most recent runs including behind Leebaz in the Group 3 Hawkesbury Cup (1600m) and the Group 3 Lord Mayor’s Cup (1615m) just last Saturday.
She’s on the short turnaround then after coming within a nose of Angel Of Mercy at Doomben last weekend, but looks a top chance from barrier two with Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle.
Rounding out the Eagle Farm Cup field are then the Peter Moody-trained Doomben Cup sixth placed mare Floria, four-year-old Perfect Start for Kiwi horseman Wayne Hillis and John Morell’s fellow Kiwi mare Lauren Tate.
The most notable non-acceptor meanwhile was another Kiwi visitor, Gary Alton’s Choisir six-year-old Historian who was tipped to back-up despite their 11th in the Lord Mayor’s Cup last weekend.
Check out the full Eagle Farm Cup 2014 field, barriers and jockeys for the weight-for-age showdown below.
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2014 Eagle Farm Cup Final Field & Barrier Draw
Eagle Farm Race 3 – 1:05pm – 31/05/2014
| # | Form (Last 10) | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Br. | Wgt. | H. Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 03×8346555 | MORIARTY (IRE) | Chris Waller | Nash Rawiller | 1 | 59kg | 108 |
| 2 | 6001112214 | AKZAR (IRE) | Darren Weir | Brad Rawiller | 3 | 59kg | 103 |
| 3 | 612100×027 | MR O’CEIRIN (NZ) | Ciaron Maher | Glen Boss | 4 | 59kg | 104 |
| 4 | x361x28726 | FLORIA (NZ) | Peter G Moody | Luke Nolen | 7 | 57kg | 99 |
| 5 | 713×009222 | WISTFUL | John O’Shea | Kerrin McEvoy | 2 | 57kg | 97 |
| 6 | 4033105375 | PERFECT START (NZ) | Wayne Hillis | Mark Du Plessis | 5 | 57kg | 84 |
| 7 | 334×145147 | LAUREN TATE (NZ) | John Morell | Damian Browne | 6 | 57kg | 95 |
