KEY POINTS:
Jokers Wild is headed to Melbourne next week for what trainer Paul Moroney describes as the horse's best chance at group-one victory in Australia.
That means Jokers Wild will miss the remaining two legs of the Hawkes Bay group-one weight-for-age spring treble. But Moroney believes it is worth the sacrifice.
The immediate target is the group-one A$350,000 ($420,000) Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 22.
"It's a punt we're taking but we think the race there on Saturday week is absolutely ideal for him," Moroney told NZPA last night.
The Clarke Stakes is a handicap. Moroney was hopeful Jokers Wild would receive about 1kg under the weight-for-age scale which would see a handicap of 56kg.
"That would make him very hard to beat," he said.
"It's the most suitable race for him all spring."
Jokers Wild has already won twice at the highest level in New Zealand - the two Sires' Produce Stakes races for juveniles - but Moroney said it was important he add an Australian group one to his CV.
"His main potential is as a stallion. It is most important for him to win a group one in Australia," he said.
"That's what we tried to achieve over there last autumn and though we didn't quite get there it still put a top placing in his portfolio."
The Black Minnaloushe four-year-old ran in three group one Australian races, with his best performance a third to Miss Finland in the Australian Guineas.* Moroney's emerging star Eskimo Queen could tackle super star Miss Finland at her next start.
She rocketed home from well back to finish second to Devil Moon in the group-three Let's Elope Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.
Moroney said the Shinko King mare came through the run well and would have her next start in the Underwood Stakes at Caulfield.
- NZPA /AAP
