Talented Chris Waller-trainer stayer Moriarty has produced an impressive final straight sprint to pull clear and win the 2014 Group 2 Eagle Farm Cup (2200m) in Brisbane this afternoon ahead of Mr O’Ceirin and Floria.
Classy gelding Moriarty has secured a comfortable victory in the 2014 Eagle Farm Cup. Photo: Daniel Costello
Jumping from the gates well, the Clodovil gelding found ideal position on the heels of early leaders Wistful and Mr O’Ceirin who set a fair tempo from the gates, but slowed down noticeably over the back straight; boxing resounding pre-post favourite Akzar within the pack.
Blocked for a run upon finding the final straight, Moriarty found a small gap between Wistful and Mr O’Ceirin; pulling a length clear when finding the line.
Stable representative for Waller, Analese Trollope was pleased with Moriarty’s performance in the Eagle Farm Cup, and was quick to credit Waller’s training approach for the impressive victory.
“He’s a very nice horse and seems to like being in work,” Trollope said after the race.
“Chris is pretty easy on them once they’re up and racing and fit, and that’s how he gets them to tick over and stay up for so long.
“On his best day he does have a very, very good turn of sprint.”
Leading jockey Nash Rawiller delivered a typically sensational ride on Moriarty in the 2014 Eagle Farm Cup, and was pleased with the way in which the gelding out of Justice System overcame a blocked run in the final straight.
“He’s always been a bulldog when it comes to those narrow little runs and if you want any horse to take one it’s him,” Rawiller said immediately after the race.
“When he’s out in those situations he seems to always put in.
“I didn’t ride him last start but I thought he looked better today, and right on key he sort of hitting his top form right at the right end of the carnival.
“He’s done a good job; he’s been up for a while and good training from Chris has kept him going and peaking again this year.”
Securing an eleventh win in his 43rd competitive race start in this afternoon’s Group 2 at Eagle Farm, Moriarty is now set for a start in the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2400m) next weekend; a race he won by a length in 2013.
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2014 Eagle Farm Cup Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | MORIARTY (IRE) | Chris Waller | Nash Rawiller | – | 1 | 59kg | $4.40 |
| 2 | 3 | MR O’CEIRIN (NZ) | Ciaron Maher | Glen Boss | 1.3L | 4 | 59kg | $5 |
| 3 | 4 | FLORIA (NZ) | Peter G Moody | Luke Nolen | 2.3L | 7 | 57kg | $13 |
| 4 | 5 | WISTFUL | John O’Shea | Kerrin McEvoy | 2.4L | 2 | 57kg | $5.50 |
| 5 | 2 | AKZAR (IRE) | Darren Weir | Brad Rawiller | 2.6L | 3 | 59kg | $2.80F |
| 6 | 7 | LAUREN TATE (NZ) | John Morell | Damian Browne | 4.9L | 6 | 57kg | $16 |
| 7 | 6 | PERFECT START (NZ) | Wayne Hillis | Mark Du Plessis | 8.7L | 5 | 57kg | $101 |
