Surpass home a hero

Michael Moroney’s decision to send Surpass back home has proved a master stroke with the stayer successfully kicking off the second phase of his New Zealand career with victory in Saturday’s Gr.3 Waikato Times Gold Cup at Te Rapa.

The Flemington trainer took charge of the Savabeel gelding last year and prepared him to win races at Sandown, Mornington and Randwick.

Surpass had been below par in more recent times in Australia, which prompted his return to the Matamata arm of the operation run by Chad Ormsby.

“His form had been a little bit mixed and Mike and the racing manager Anthony Feroce sat down and hatched the plan – I was glad to get the call that he was coming home,” Ormsby said.

“He had me a little worried during the week when he went a bit quiet, but he was bucking and kicking when we got him out of his paddock this morning.”
Surpass was given an economical trip near the pace by Opie Bosson and they hit the front 200 metres from home.

“He travelled beautifully throughout and coming to the turn I had a lap full of horse,” Bosson said.

“I gave him a few back handers and he won quite easily.”

Tempelten ran on well enough for second ahead of Decorah with Delago’s Secret arriving late for fourth.

Surpass will now be set for the Gr.3 City of Auckland Cup at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day on what promises to be a major occasion for his part-owners Paul and Shirlie Ryan, who race the Gr.1 Railway Stakes contender In Style. – NZ Racing Desk.

Recent News
29 May 2025

Porcia Catonis powers home as Super Seth’s rise continues

Super Seth’s strong run continues with Porcia Catonis, who delivered a dominant win at Riccarton for Fortuna Racing. The lightly raced filly is now a two-time winner and adds to a stellar season for her sire, who boasts three Group 1 winners and a 4.34% G1 winners-to-runners strike rate.

Read More
28 May 2025

Gutsy bebut win for Ardrossan’s Macallan

Ardrossan’s son Macallan impressed on debut in Thursday’s opener at Tauranga, overcoming Heavy10 conditions to win the Tierra Maiden 3YO (1200m) by 1.3 lengths. Trained by Wexford Stables and racing for JML Bloodstock, the gelding showed toughness and class to finish strongly before the meeting was abandoned due to weather.

Read More