Mission Critical on Target for Derby

Karaka Premier Sale graduate Mission Critical (Fantastic Light x Trick Taker, by Capote) moved one step closer to his Queensland Derby target, winning the Brisbane Turf Club's Group 3 Rough Habit Plate (2020m) at Doomben on Saturday.

Ridden by Damien Oliver for the Mike and Paul Moroney training partnership, the winning margin was a nose over fellow Karaka graduate, Moatize (Fantastic Light x Shezabeel, by Zabeel), trained by Bart Cummings.  Cummings and Oliver were the successful duo here last year, winning with another Kiwi bred, Empire's Choice.

The Group 1 Whakanui Stud International Stakes (2000m) winner back in February, Mission Critical was bought as a yearling in 2006 by Paul Moroney from Haunui Farm for NZ$75,000. He has now won over NZ$280,000 for his connections, the GG Syndicate, Owen Glenn and JML Bloodstock.

Mission Critical's next start will be in the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) on 7 June at Eagle Farm.

Three horses have come from Rough Habit Plate victory to win the Derby, being the NZ-bred De Gaulle Lane in 2001, Dodge in 1998 and Tenor in 1994.

The Moroney team also enjoyed success on Saturday with last year's Ready to Run Sale-topper, St Culpe (Rock of Gibraltar x Run and Hide, by Ogygian) in the Listed Great Northern Foal Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie. Bred by Ron & Rod Dufficy, St Culpe was a NZ$500,000 purchase from Lyndhurst Farm's draft and is now raced by owners, Harry Partnership Syndicate & Sly Syndicate.