Trainer Mike Moroney is confident the conditions of Saturday’s Group 3 Sunshine Coast Guineas (1600m) will prove ideal for talented three-year-old Tivaci.
Tivaci (outside) is primed for a big performance in Saturday’s Sunshine Coast Guineas. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Tivaci has posted a number of commendable performances since making his competitive debut at the beginning of the 2015 Spring Carnival; subsequently claiming three wins and two minors through eleven starts.
Claiming a number of smart results in autumn this year, the High Chaparral colt returned from a freshen-up for fourth in the Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1350m) at Doomben on May 21st before running a credible sixth in the talent-rich Group 2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) on June 11th.
Moroney told AAP he is thrilled with Tivaci’s condition leading into the Sunshine Coast Guineas, and is confident the horse will be tough to beat with a little luck in transit.
“I’ve always thought he has got Group One ability,” Moroney said.
“He really hasn’t had a lot of luck up here.
“He probably came down the worst part of the ground (along the fence) in the Guineas.
“He has got back in both his starts and run home strongly. They’ve both been good runs, he just hasn’t had a lot of luck.”
Stamping himself as a colt to follow when making a positive transition to black type company for second in the Listed UCI Stakes (1800m) during the Spring Carnival last year, Tivaci returned to racing this year for an impressive win in the Bet365 BM70 (1200m) on February 4th.
Undoubtedly producing a career-best effort to date second up, the colt out of Breccia produced a scintillating turn of foot to win the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) on February 20th.
Failing to make anything of an impact when twelfth in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) a fortnight later however, Tivaci returned for a freshen-up after placing eighth in the Listed Bendigo Guineas (1400m).
The 2016 Sunshine Coast Guineas field and barrier draw is due to be completed and released by midday, Wednesday (June 29th).
