Trainer bullish about quality 4YO’s sprint prospects

Mike Moroney doesn’t buy into the argument that Savile Row will be outpaced when he makes his Australian debut on Saturday.

The trans-Tasman trainer has been impressed by the Makfi four-year-old’s demeanour ahead of the Gr.2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m), in which he will be ridden by Stephen Baster.

“I’m very happy with him. He’s been here a while and he’s a lovely horse to have around the stable,” Moroney said.

Bred and raced by Valachi Downs’ Kevin Hickman, Savile Row finished runner-up last season in both the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and in the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m).

He was also second in the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) against the older horses and Moroney isn’t anticipating the shorter distance of the Bobbie Lewis to count against Savile Row.

“I don’t think they’ll be too quick for him,” he said. “He’s got fresh form and I’m hoping they’ll run it along a bit and he can get over the top of them.

“His best trip looks as if it’s a mile, but in saying that he’s sharp enough and he’s pretty classy.

“At this stage, we’ll go through to the Toorak and he does also hold a nomination for the Cox Plate.”

Meanwhile, Savile Row’s stablemate and race rival Saracino may be gelded if he fails to run up to expectations at Flemington.

“He’s been threatened with the knife,” Moroney said. “At his last start we didn’t know how hard he was trying so we’ll also put the blinkers on.”

The Kiwi-bred four-year-old has been a multiple Group Two winner and Group One placegetter for Wellington owner Lib Petagna, but beat only one runner home when he resumed last time out in the Gr.3 The Heath at Caulfield.