MORONEY NOT PHASED BY ODDS

Mike Moroney not phased by the odds of Goodwood Runner

Moroney is taking Not An Option to the Group One Goodwood in Adelaide looking for another major title after the success of Roch ‘N’ Horse in Victoria.

TAB currently has Not An Option as a $34 chance in the all in markets however Moroney is confident that the Kiwi import has what it takes to win in the top grade.

Not An Option will be making the Goodwood his fourth start for the Moroney stable from kiwi trainer Tony Pike earlier in the season and the veteran trainer is already bullish about his chances in Black Type Australian racing.

“He’s impressed me since he has become a gelding,” Moroney said.

“He’s one that I really think has improved a lot and I think there’s a Group 1 win in him at some stage.”

Not An Option has already been defying the odds when winning first up at Mornington carrying a $41 price tag and was only two lengths of the Goodwood second favourite, Extreme Warrior in a listed race last time out. 

“We decided to keep him a bit on the fresh side and run in this,” Moroney said.

“I think he’s up to it because I think he’s a pretty smart horse.

“He’s a 1200 to 1400m sort of horse, I think, and the Morphettville 1200 is a tough 1200m.”

Not An Option will meet Extreme Warrior 2kg better in the weights after the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes and a chance in training routine could be the answer to winning the Adelaide Group 1 feature.

“We’ve upped his work a little bit and I gave him a jump out last week, which will have him fit enough,” Moroney said.

“That was his main hit-out and I’m really happy with the way we went.

“I think Extreme Warrior is beatable but he certainly would have taken good improvement out of that Caulfield race but I think stepping up in distance will suit us.

“We’re as confident as we can be going into a Group 1 race because it’s hard to be too confident.”

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