Gerald Ryan’s Deploy takes out Group 2 Moreton Cup

Deploy
Deploy pictured after winning at Randwick last prep. PIC Bradley Photography.

DEPLOY has battled on gallantly to register a tenacious win in Saturday’s Group 2 Moreton Cup (1200m) at Doomben.

Under the guidance of Tim Clark, Deploy was quickly away from the barriers and sat outside the leader Perfect Dare throughout early stages.

Swinging for home, Clark said go, with Deploy hitting the front – however he was quickly joined by team Snowden’s Dothraki which threw down a strong challenge on the outside.

Stride for stride approaching the post, Deploy dug deep and stuck his head in front, defeating the top weight Dothraki which was ridden by leading hoop Hugh Bowman.

“Ever since they gelded him he has turned his form around,” Clark said after the race.

“Fortunately I picked the ride up today and he made his own luck – Hughie laid it down to me early in the straight and it took me until the last 50m to shrug him off and obviously the 6kg difference in weight really kicked in late.”

It was Deploy’s second run back from a spell, having finished second in the Listed Ortensia Stakes (1100m) at Scone last month. Last prep the four-year-old gelding won all four starts at Canterbury and Randwick.

The victory secured the Gerald Ryan-trained son of Fastnet Rock a berth in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap next Saturday, however stable representative Sterling Alexiou said it may not necessarily be the target.

“At this stage he is a group 2 winner and there are a lot of races that are suitable for him that he can go in and win so there is no hurry to make a decision – Gerald and the owners can make the decision whether he runs in the Stradbroke or not,” he said.

Alexiou said it was good to see Deploy win the $175,000 feature race, making it six wins and six minor placings from 13 starts.

“He has always shown really good ability at home and he has really come along in leaps and bounds his last couple of preparations.

“For him to come into a group 2 today and for Timmy to give him a great ride and a kick – he was headed and then fought back – he was super.”

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments