Top options for Merion

16 January 2015

Michael Moroney has a Group One decision to make with his New Zealand-bred three-year-old Merion.

The Flemington trainer has targeted the Gr.3 CS Hayes Stakes on February 21 for the O’Reilly gelding’s return as a pipe-opener to a sterner test.

Moroney has yet to decide whether Merion will run in the Australian Guineas at Flemington or in the Randwick Guineas. This year, both features will be run on March 7.

Oaks Day glory for Waikato Stud-bred Sulek

Waikato Stud enjoyed a special moment on Oaks Day at Flemington on Thursday, when the New Zealand-bred gelding Sulek – by Super Seth out the O’Reilly mare Tiff And Co, saluted on one of the biggest days of the racing calendar and in front of an international crowd. Bred by the farm in partnership with the Dowager Duchess of Bedford, Sulek took out the A$500,000 Cirka Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final (1600m) for the third and most lucrative win of his career.

5 November 2026

The Corner with Garry Chittick

And so, another Melbourne Cup has been run. Regretfully, Mary and I were not there. I have no idea how many we attended up until COVID, and I miss the Cup week. Victoria prides itself as the sporting capital of Australia; it may be, they certainly know how to create an event.