Written by Paul Vettise
Ballymore Stables are daring to dream with genuine chances to represent the Matamata operation of Michael Moroney and Pam Gerard in upcoming Group 1 features at the Wellington carnival.
Promising colt Arrogant (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) will step out in Saturday’s Fusion Electrical Levin Classic on Saturday and a week later the very much in-form On The Rocks (NZ) (Alamosa {NZ}) will be taking aim at the Harcourts Thorndon Mile.
There is even more on the line than the lure of the thick end of the stake money for the well-related pair as they chase elite level success to match their pedigrees and boost their future stallion profiles.
“It’s great for Ballymore to have runners in these important races.” – Pam Gerard.
“It’s great for Ballymore to have runners in these important races. As well as having the right type of horse, you have to need a lot of luck as well,” Gerard said.
Paul and Michael Moroney
A change of fortune for Arrogant this weekend would be welcomed as Lady Luck certainly wasn’t riding with the colt at his latest appearance.
He was unplaced in the G2 Auckland Guineas on New Year’s Day at Ellerslie where he dropped well back from an awkward barrier and thereafter had no favours in the running.
“It’s the first time he’s got that far back in the field and he had to come very wide when the winner (Surely Sacred) pushed him out on the corner,” Gerard said.
“He was good through the line though and from a better draw this time he will be able to race a lot handier.” – Pam Gerard.
“He was good through the line though and from a better draw this time he will be able to race a lot handier.”
Pam Gerard
Arrogant had broken his maiden on his home track the start prior, making all the play out in front and went to the post untested.
“He probably should have won before that. He’s had a few wide draws and he really showed what he was capable of at Matamata,” Gerard said.
Arrogant was purchased by Moroney’s brother Paul out of Valachi Downs’ draft at Karaka for NZ$130,000 and is raced by Ballymore with new stable client Wally Campbell, of Palmerston North.
“He absolutely loves his horses and this is the first one I’ve put him in and he’s having the time of his life.” – Pam Gerard.
“He absolutely loves his horses and this is the first one I’ve put him in and he’s having the time of his life,” Gerard said.
She believes Arrogant’s trip down to Wellington will also have other future benefits.
Arrogant as a yearling
“It will do wonders for him down the track,” she said. “He can get on his toes a bit and with Mike having the stable in Melbourne he has to learn to travel.
“We think 2000 will be ideal for him, but it’s a long time before the Waikato and Avondale Guineas so he needs another run.” – Pam Gerard.
“We think 2000 metres will be ideal for him, but it’s a long time before the Waikato and Avondale Guineas so he needs another run.”
Arrogant is out of the unraced O’Reilly (NZ) mare Charmeuse (NZ), who is a half-sister to the Valachi-based stallion Savile Row (NZ) (Makfi {GB}). He was a stakes winner and multiple Group 1 placegetter during his racing days out of the Moroney and Gerard yard.
The pedigree page also features the G1 Sussex S. and G1 French 2000 Guineas winner The Gurkha (IRE) (Galileo {IRE}).
Group 2 winner in top order
Meanwhile, Arrogant’s barn mare On The Rocks is doing handstands ahead of the G1 Thorndon H. following his New Year’s Day success in the G2 Rich Hill Mile.
On The Rocks
“He came out of the race very well and we can’t fault him,” Gerard said. “He’s a tough little customer and we’re looking forward to the race.”
On The Rocks was another Paul Moroney purchase, setting him back NZ$40,000 out of Wellfield Lodge’s Karaka consignment in 2016. The grey is a son of an unraced half-sister to the former champion Australian stayer and triple Group 1 winner Efficient (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and the G2 Dato Tan Chin Nam winner Guillotine (NZ) (Montjeu {IRE}).
