Racing: Moroney may wait for Underwood

Photo / NZPA

Trainer Mike Moroney is weighing up options for stayer Voleuse De Coeurs, who could be saved for the Underwood Stakes first-up.

Voleuse De Coeurs is nominated for Saturday's Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) and galloped solo at Flemington yesterday.

Moroney was happy with the work and said he would discuss with the mare's owners whether to kick off the import's campaign on Saturday or wait for the Underwood at Caulfield over 1800m a week later.

"The Makybe over a mile could be pretty tough on her first-up because she really hasn't got any form until she gets over further," Moroney said.

"We're starting to think that maybe the race at Caulfield might be the better starting point, and that will give me the chance to get a bit more work into her also."

Voleuse De Coeurs is likely to wear blinkers wherever she resumes and Moroney wants to get guidance from her first-up assignment on whether she keeps the blinkers further into the spring.

The 6-year-old wore blinkers in her gallop yesterday over 1400m.

The distinction of becoming a group one winner is not the only prize import Spillway will be after in the Makybe Diva Stakes.

The winner of the feature earns a ballot exemption into the A$3 million Caulfield Cup, a race trainer David Hayes is targeting with Spillway.

The 5-year-old sprinted well fresh to be beaten in a photo finish in the PB Lawrence Stakes first-up and Hayes is convinced he is capable of going one better this time.

"I think he'll run terrific," Hayes said. "We're hoping he wins and gets 100 per cent qualified for the Cup. That would be great."

Spillway was given 52kg when Caulfield Cup weights were released last week.

He was narrowly denied by Star Rolling first-up over 1400m and Damien Oliver retains the ride for Saturday's 1600m race.

Foreteller and Puissance De Lune, who finished first and second in the race last year, are among 15 nominations with Green Moon and last year's Caulfield Cup-winning stablemate Fawkner.