Mr Baritone Digs Deep in Stradbroke
9 June 2008
Karaka graduate Mr Baritone (Stravinsky x Tunisia, by Sanglamore) gave the Mike & Paul Moroney partnership its fourth Group 1 win in Australia in just seven weeks when he took home the $1 million Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
With seven career wins to his credit heading into the contest, the six-year-old gelding was guided through the inside of the field to score by a half head for top Victorian apprentice Sebastian Murphy. Driving the 28/1 chance to the lead inside the last 200m, Murphy rode desperately to hold off the late finish of Hard To Catch, with fellow NZ bred Double Dare (O'Reilly x Dar, by Three Legs) just a long head back in third.
Purchased by Kentucky Downs Stud at the 2003 Karaka Premier Sale for $40,000, Mr Baritone was then offered at the 2003 Karaka Ready to Run Sale and was passed in. After winning a trial impressively he was spotted by Paul Moroney who purchased him for a group of Australian owners.
By Stravinsky, Mr Baritone joins the list of Group 1 winners by his sire that includes Keeninsky, Serenade Rose and Captivate. Stravinsky won't return to Cambridge Stud this season due to quarantine restrictions, however he will be represented in New Zealand by his sire son, Chinese Dragon, a new recruit to Rex Fell's Goodwood Stud in Palmerston North.
Saturday's victory brings Mr Baritone's earnings past the magical million marker to $1,004,845.
In addition to being one of four Group 1 wins in Australia for the Moroney's Ballymore Stables (the others by Eskimo Queen and Sarrera), he was joined by another winner on the day for the stable. At Flemington, New Zealand mare All Ready Got It (Howbaddouwantit x Dresden, by Westminster) won easily to make it three in a row for owners GKV Holdings Ltd and, part-owners of Eskimo Queen, Barry & Deidre Neville-White.
The Moroney partnership has also enjoyed Group 1 success this season with Karaka graduate Mission Critical in the Group 1 Whakanui Stud International Stakes at Te Rapa in February.