Money comes for Irish Cup hope
Irish St Leger winner Voleuse De Coers is shaping up as the best-backed of the Melbourne Cup imports.
The mare has been backed from $17 to $13 in recent days and yesterday’s track work suggests the money is on the mark.
Jockey James McDonald had his first ride on the Cup hope Tuesday at Werribee training track, the exclusive workout centre for all the international Cup contenders.
“I was extremely happy, she is a very good moving mare,” McDonald told racing network TVN.
After working over 2000 metres, McDonald was effusive about the action of the Mike Moroney-trained mare. He noted that she did not seem to be a typical European horse.
“She has a great action. I don’t think there will be any problems with her on top of the ground and she has a beautiful attitude,” McDonald said.
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“She did her work really easily. I’m looking forward to the Cup in a week’s time. I think she will be right there with flying colours.”
The De Coers story has taken a few sharp turns on the way to next Tuesday’s Cup.
She was part of two-time Cup winning trainer Dermott Weld’s plans for the 2014 Cup when New Zealand bloodstock agent Paul Moroney secured the mare in a surprise deal in late September.
The mare was immediately flown to Newmarket in England for quarantine and arrived in Australia on October 19.
Paul Moroney told the Irish Times he had tried to buy Voleuse De Coeurs before her six-length win in the St Leger on September 15.
“The buyer is not wishing to be disclosed at this stage, but she will be transferred to my brother, Mike Moroney, and will be entered into quarantine under Mike’s name.
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“I’m rapt we’ve been able to pull the deal off. We’ve been chasing her even before the Irish St Leger but there was a minor hiccup which has now been sorted.”
The daughter of Teofilo had not been in contention for the Melbourne Cup when owned by Lady O’Reilly, with a trip to France for the Prix Royal Oak on October 27 the proposed end-of-season target.
All roads now lead towards the world’s richest handicap.
“All we are looking at at this stage is the Melbourne Cup. There have been no plans made as yet about running her before then,” Moroney said.
“She’s a very good staying mare and still has a good few years left on a racecourse before she becomes a broodmare.”
Weld, who won the Melbourne Cup with Vintage Crop (1993) and Media Puzzle (2002), was caught by surprise in the swift Moroney bid.
“She’s a good stayer with speed. She was a lovely filly to train and we are sad to lose her.”
Voeluse De Coers brings a great form line into the Cup.
Apart from effortlessly defeating Red Cadeaux, one of her rivals next Tuesday, Voleuse De Coeurs also trounced Royal Diamond, which 10 days ago won a Group 1 on British Champions Day at Ascot.
James McDonald knows he’s on a good thing.
“Her form is simply outstanding and she will run two miles without a problem.”
– with AAP
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