Moroney lifts sights with Marwood

9 September 2013

O’Reilly’s unbeaten son Marwood will be on trial for a Group One assignment at his next appearance. The three-year-old followed up his debut win at Seymour with another strong performance at Bendigo yesterday to maintain his perfect record.

Trainer Michael Moroney will now target the Gr 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude in a fortnight with a view to taking on the cream of the crop in the Gr 1 Caulfield Guineas three weeks later. Marwood was ridden yesterday by Nick Hall, who believes the gelding can make his mark in good company.

“His first start was a maiden on a heavy track, but I think this seals it and proves that he’s the real deal today,” he said. “He’s going to be definitely up there and I think he’s going to be competitive this spring for sure.” A son of the Group One-winning Centaine mare Pernod, Marwood is also nominated for the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) on the same day as the 1600m Guineas.

Tivaci’s Movie Night steals the show at Newcastle

A sister to the Gr.1 ATC Flight Stakes (1600m) winner Never Been Kissed, the Waikato Stud-bred and raced Movie Night (NZ) was rewarded for her consistency, breaking her maiden with an all-the-way win over 1400m at Newcastle for trainer Tom Charlton.

9 July 2026

Oilman’s stud stake could change course of NZ breeding

Eighteen months ago, Texas oilman Nelson Bunker Hunt walked through the lush Waikato pasture of Matamata’s Balcarres Stud and announced he wanted some just like it for his own.

Today he has-360 acres about a mile down the road which has been transformed from a dairy farm to one of New Zealand’s leading horse and cattle breeding establishments.