Moriarty On Top in Kingston Town Classic
Description:
Irish-bred Moriarty prevailed in a tight finish in the Kingston Town Classic (Aus-I) Dec. 6 at Ascot Racecourse in Perth, besting Disposition and Elite Belle in Australia's final group I race of 2014.
Moriarty and Disposition battled stride for stride through the last 100 meters and Elite Belle looked to have a chance, but Moriarty thrust out his nose at the finish line for his first group I win by half a head.
With the victory under Hong Kong star rider Douglas Whyte, Moriarty becomes the 10th group I winner of the year for trainer Chris Waller, who bought the 6-year-old Clodovil gelding for 90,000 guineas (US$150,756) at the 2011 Tattersalls horses in training sale.
Moriarty won two of 10 starts in England and Ireland for previous trainer Richard Hannon and finished second in the 2011 Gallinule Stakes (Ire-II) at the Curragh and third in the Feilden Stakes at Newmarket.
The gelding now has eight stakes wins, including four others at the group level in Australia, where he notched his 11th overall victory from 42 starts. Waller trains him for a large partnership.
Disposition and Elite Belle, both trained by Grant Williamson, finished a respective second and third in the 16-horse field, with Disposition 2 1/4 lengths clear of his stablemate.
Rebelson was the early leader from Fuchsia Bandana, Smokin' Joey, and Elite Belle, the latter two to overtaken by Disposition and Rommel as the field raced along the river side of the track in a field strung out by some 20 lengths. As runners bunched up into the stretch, Disposition, Moriarty, and Elite Belle were well in front, with Disposition and Moriarty locked in battle through the closing stages.
Final time for the 1,800-meter (about 1 1/8-mile) race was 1:48.71 on a good track.
Moriarty was bred by Rathasker Stud. His dam is the Criminal Type mare Justice System.