Mike Moroney confident the Adelaide wet weather won’t worry Chapada in SA Derby
Flemington trainer Mike Moroney is confident smart three-year-old Chapada will handle a rain affected Morphettville in Saturday’s $500,000 South Australian Derby.
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Flemington trainer Mike Moroney is confident smart three-year-old Chapada will handle a rain affected Morphettville in Saturday’s $500,000 South Australian Derby (2500m).
Chapada failed on a soft track when beaten 7.7 lengths as favourite in the ATC Derby last start with Damien Oliver in the saddle which came as a surprise to the multiple Group 1 inning horseman.
“Ollie (Damien Oliver) said he just couldn’t pick his legs up out of the ground,’’ Moroney said.
“It was strange because he got through Rosehill (at his previous start). But Rosehill was probably looser, where as Randwick was holding, it was pretty deep and horses really had the drag their legs out of it.
“Before his last run we didn’t have any doubts with him on wet ground, it was a bit of a surprise us.,’’ he said.
Moroney said he was expecting Morphettville to be in much better condition despite a week of wet weather in Adelaide.
“I think the track over there will be different to Randwick,’’ Moroney added.
Chapada has already proven his staying ability running third behind Extra Brut in the Victoria Derby at Flemington back in the spring while he was beaten just 2.5 lengths behind superstar The Autumn Sun in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas in March.
Moroney said with any luck the horse could have two Group 1 wins on his resume.
“They are probably the two races he should have one with any luck in running which is disappointing but hopefully he can make amends on Saturday,’’ Moroney added.
Chapada has drawn barrier 11 with star WA jockey William Pike booked to ride.
Moroney is hoping the pair can go one better than the Adelaide Cup in march when the combined with Top Of The Range to beat all but Surprise Baby in the feature.
“I think we’ve drawn in the right spot to stay in the clear,’’ Moroney said.
“The two things we have to question is how much rain we get and the size of the field. There looks to be only a handful of chances, so we’ll just need a bit of luck in running like you always do,’’ he said.
Chapada has been $9 into $6.50 with Ladbrokes while Damien Oliver is without a Derby ride after Grinzinger Star was scratched on Thursday morning.
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