He overcame some early difficulties in the run to power home and take the 1400
metre contest by half a length for Steven Arnold, who won this race last year
on eventual Caulfield Guineas winner Long John."The best part of his race was when he had to stop and then get going and showed a great turn of foot," said winning trainer Mike Moroney.
"He's really bred to stay on his dam's side, so he has a really exciting future.
"Steve thinks he is comparable to Long John. I don't know whether this horse can win a Caulfield Guineas, but I hope so."
Merion was a $200,000 NZB Premier purchase for bloodstock agent Paul Moroney from the Valachi Downs draft and is the second winner for stakes-winning Danske mare Sapphire Belle, who comes from the family of multiple Group I winner Alibhai.
"Paul found him quite early and thought he was the pick of the sale, so we were happy to pay a bit of money for him," Moroney added.
Valachi Downs owner Kevin Hickman has been in the news of late as the owner/breeder of star O'Reilly mare Silent Achiever, so he knows a thing or two about breeding a good O'Reilly!
The Waikato Stud stalwart has been enjoying his best ever season in Australia with Merion his fifth Australian stakes-winner joining Group I stars Silent Achiever and Sacred Falls, as well as Thy and Crumpet O'Reilly.
