Racing: Hoping 'real' Maroofity turns up

If the old Maroofity turns up at Ruakaka today you could confidently label him a good thing in the Oceanz Seafood restricted handicap feature.

The winner of three group ones, and nearly $500,000 in earnings, has just 56kg thanks to a 2kg relief from Troy Harris and jumps from the inside gate over the 1400m.

But the problem for punters and trainer Mark Walker is that no one knows for sure just what mood the 6-year-old is really in.

In his last two race-day appearances, both in the South Island last December, the former superstar had seemingly lost all interest, struggling to threaten opposition he'd normally crush.

"We've given him road work, jumping, you name it we've done it since he's come back from a spell," said Walker.

"Whether it's worked, we're still not sure, but he looks really well and seems to be enjoying his work again.

"You've just got to take him on trust."

Maroofity's two recent trial placings, including a second to Atapi at Te Teko on August 1, hint he may be ready to return to winning form for the first time since March, 2005.

But Walker isn't letting himself get carried away just yet and has left the winner of 10 races from just 34 starts out of nominations for the Stoney Bridge Stakes (1600m) on September 23, the race he ran fourth in last year.

"We're just going to try and get his confidence back, get him in the winner's circle again and take it from there," said Walker.

The stable, though, is aiming for the stars with stablemate and Ruakaka rival Zarius.

One of the most promising stayers about last season, Zarius takes the first raceday step today on a road that will hopefully end with Melbourne Cup glory on November 7.

"He's strengthened a lot since he last raced - he's a really nice horse now," said Walker.

Zarius won fresh-up over 1600m at Hastings last season, but Walker isn't so confident of a repeat over 1400m at Ruakaka.

"If he runs in the first five, I'll be happy," he said.

"If it had been 1600m, I would have rated him a place chance, but we couldn't find a 1600m on a reasonable track, that's why he's trekking up to Ruakaka."

Safely through his return, Zarius heads to Hastings for an open 2000m event on Stoney Bridge day, and then tackles weight-for-age stars in the $1 million Kelt Capital Stakes on the same course a fortnight later.

Zarius is booked to start next in the Caulfield Cup, with a final Melbourne Cup tune-up in the McKinnon Stakes on November 4.

Today's main Ruakaka drawcard also features the return of exciting cups prospect Ring Of Fire and Stoney Bridge prospect Mandela.

Stoney Bridge needs to win, or be an unlucky loser, to warrant a run at Hastings.