Surpass home a hero

15 December 2014

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.

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