Geelong Cup 2017: Moroney sets sights on Melbourne Cup with Vengeur Masque

MIKE Moroney is hoping Geelong Cup winner Vengeur Masque can deliver the trainer his second Melbourne Cup success next month.

MIKE Moroney is optimistic Vengeur Masque can leapfrog a string of rivals to snare a Melbourne Cup berth and emulate the 2000 deeds of Brew after Geelong Cup victory.

Iron horse Brew gave Moroney his most significant win 17 years ago, securing a Cup slot by claiming the Saab Quality (now Lexus Stakes) on Derby Day.

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Moroney believes Vengeur Masque has the requisite stamina — and breeding — to follow a similar path through the Lexus and, if successful, then back up in the Cup.

Vengeur Masque is by German super sire Monsun, who has produced three of the past four Melbourne Cup winners — Fiorente (2013), Protectionist (’14) and Almandin (’16).

One punter collected $80,000 after placing $5000 on Vengeur Masque at $16 to win at Geelong and the stayer firmed from $201 to $101 for the Melbourne Cup.

What A Thriller!

Vengeur Masque does a terrific job to win the 2017 #GeelongCup. pic.twitter.com/Uwb25CMgJ9

— Racing.com (@Racing) October 25, 2017

“He reminds me of a similar sort of horse as Brew,” Moroney said after Vengeus Masque defied favourite Gallic Chieftain and Violate to win his first Australian race.

“When they get strong, the can give a strong gallop and he’s only just starting to get there.

“We’ve had a lot of faith in this horse.

“He’s been a slow-maturing horse and he’s a really late foal by their (northern hemisphere) terms and he’s only really just come of age.”

Moroney said he would not hesitate to start Venguer Masque in the Lexus if he was still a long down the order of entry. “I probably would because he is strong enough to do that,” he said. “I wouldn’t have last year but I would this year.”

Vengeur Masque (left) edged out Gallic Chieftain in a thrilling finish in the Geelong Cup.

Before Wednesday’s Cup, the gelding was 45th in order with several horses above him unlikely.

Moroney is hoping for a penalty and more drop outs.

“Just hope for a little bit more weight and attrition as well,” he said.

Jockey Pat Moloney said: “Today was the perfect scenario for the perfect horse. Couldn’t have scripted it better. This horse is finally going to deliver on his promise.

“He’s really thriving off his work since he’s been gelded. He’s quite a highly strung sort of import but the gear changes (earmuffs) are helping.”

Mike Moroney and jockey Patrick Maloney were delighted after Vengeur Masque showed his staying talent in the Geelong Cup. Picture: Mike Dugdale

Weather With You shines in classic

KIWI colt Weather With You rocketed into Victoria Derby calculations with a strong staying effort to win the Geelong Classic, staving off Ocean’s Fourteen and Astoria.

Winless until Wednesday’s race, Weather With You will be given the opportunity to provide master Kiwi horseman Murray Baker with yet another Australian Group 1.

Already armed with 21 Group 1s on this side of the Tasman, Baker and co-trainer Andrew Forsman have endured a rollercoaster ride with Bonneval and Jon Snow.

While both excelled during the early spring, the pair missed placings in last Saturday’s Caulfield Cup and Bonneval pulled up sore.

Weather With You had to dig deep to win the Geelong Classic on Wednesday.

Weather With You erased some of that disappointment and shortened from $26-$10 with TAB for the Derby. Forsman said the long-striding gelding would be even better suited by the extra 300m of the Derby.

“Obviously the 2500m of the Derby won’t hurt him,” Forsman said. “It was the plan when we brought him here to go for the Derby even though he was still a maiden.

“He came over pretty backward, he had a long, hairy coat. He’s come good the last few weeks.

“It’s (the Derby) a pretty even sort of race this year so it’s hard to line up the form. The 2500m at Flemington will suit. He’s got a big action.”

Jockey Mark Zahra agreed — with a caveat.

Asked with Weather With You could win the Derby, he said: “He could but he’d have to relax.”

What a Derby Trial!

Weather With You takes out the Geelong Classic for Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman with Mark Zahra aboard. pic.twitter.com/u3jpRe14BS

— Racing.com (@Racing) October 25, 2017

“Blinkers first time, he made me work early,” Zahra said. “I was just going to fight him too much so I elected to go around and sit aside. He didn’t fully switch off but at least he got into a rhythm.

“It was a good effort because I thought he’d be a bit susceptible the last bit because he was a bit on the chewy. I didn’t want him to be gassed at the top the straight, so I had to nurse him for as long as I could. He was good to the line.”

Baker won the Derby with Lion Tamer in 2010.