Racing: Joker's Wild staying put

An offer of $1 million has been declined for this season's top 2-year-old Jokers Wild, says Waikato trainer Paul Moroney.

Moroney said a number of bloodstock agents had made offers for the Black Minnaloushe colt but all had been rejected, according to New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing.

"There have been about half a dozen inquiries from agents wishing to buy him and the money talked about has got up to $1 million," Moroney said. "The owners want to continue racing him and are not interested in a sale at this stage."

The owners are John Carter, Garry Christini and Barbara Paterson.

The $40,000 yearling sale purchase finished his 2-year-old season with three successive wins, including two New Zealand group one races for 2-year-olds - the Ellerslie Sires' Produce Stakes and the Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes at Awapuni.

Jokers Wild has resumed light training in preparation for next season with plans to race in the Hawke's Bay Guineas at Hastings in October and the Two Thousand Guineas at Riccarton in November.

Meanwhile, Moroney's brother and training partner Mike Moroney, who trains in Melbourne, is pleased with another young stable star, The One, which has returned from a spell and is to be aimed at the Caulfield Guineas.

- NZPA