Meet the sport’s ‘bargain basement’ buy of the year – Moraine Suzie.
Warrnambool owner Peter Byrne paid a paltry $2000 for the latest staying revelation after her 12th start.
Byrne thought Moraine Suzie (May ’20 My Redeemer x Miss Bo Wicked) may get over more ground based on her breeding and his ‘crystal ball gazing’ has developed into an amazing prognostication.
Following her purchase, Moraine Suzie was transferred to Lara trainer Brendan Pursell who didn’t waste any time stepping her up gradually in distance.
Subsequently, Moraine Suzie has completed a miraculous metamorphosis from country short-course sprinter to Victoria’s rising staying star.
Since joining Pursell’s kennel, Moraine Suzie hasn’t finished out of the money in 10 starts – netting five wins, two seconds and three thirds. She’s won her past four starts, including her only three outings over the distance journey.
Moraine Suzie took out the $12,000 to-the-winner National Distance Championship state final (715m), a ‘Best 8 Special Event’, at Sandown Park on August 11.
She came from second-last in the early stages to defeat Victorian Stayer of the Year Jarick Bale by 5.4L in a flying 41.47sec. (Four-time G1 winner Gypsy Wyong – prepared by ‘Team Dailly’ – finished fifth.)
It was her eighth win (with three seconds and five thirds) from 23 starts. Her stakes jumped to $46,305.
But the stakes will be much higher when Moraine Suzie (Box 7) attempts to raise the bar in the $103,000 G1 Ladbrokes NDC grand final (720m) – Race 6, 7.47pm – at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.
She’ll be flying the flag for the ‘Big V’ in her chase for a $75,000 first prize, as will ‘wildcard’ counterpart Gypsy Wyong (Box 3) after she advanced to the final as the highest-ranked competitor on the Greyhound Clubs Australia stayers rankings.
But they’ll face a formidable foe in NSW super stayer Super Estrella ($1.60F), which stifles betting. Moraine Suzie ($6.50) is second favourite, while Gypsy Wyong ($15) is rated an outside chance.
However, a buoyant Pursell says Moraine Suzie has “more improvement in her”.
“I’ve never come home saying she’s run a bad race,” he said. “She’s only young and the best is ahead of her in staying ranks.
“Who knows where she may be in another three months.”
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Pursell added Moraine Suzie’s run in the NDC state final was “sensational”.
“She copped a few early checks but dominated the race over the final stages… She’s improved at every distance start.
“She’s also good in a field and seems to ‘work it out’. And her run-home times were ridiculous over 600 metres, so all the signs were there.”
But Pursell is a trifle perturbed with Moraine Suzie having drawn the ‘black’ trap in the NDC grand final.
“It normally wouldn’t worry her but the way it’s panned out, she may have to dodge a bit of trouble.
“But it would be nice if she landed right behind Super Estrella early. I’ve got no doubt she would then make a real race of it.”
Moraine Suzie trialled impressively, clocking 29.80sec over 520m at Wentworth Park on August 17, in preparation for her biggest assignment to date.
Pawnote: Pursell’s son, Blake, has former Victorian McInerney representing Tasmania in the G1 National Sprint Championship final.
WATCH: New staying sensation MORAINE SUZIE (B4) books a berth into the NDC grand final with a powerful state final success.
