The changes made to the Caulfield Cup Carnival have paid a dividend for connections of Run Harry Run with his victory in a Stakes race at Caulfield.
Lining up for his fourth race start and coming off victories at Kilmore and Bendigo, Run Harry Run took out the Group 3 Blue Sapphire Stakes (1400m) on Saturday.
The Blue Sapphire Stakes has previously been run on the middle day of the three-day Carnival in October and over 1200m, but this year an extra meeting was added to the Caulfield Cup Carnival with Saturday’s race along with the Thousand Guineas and Sir Rupert Clarke moving to the added day.
Trainer Mike Moroney said the Blue Sapphire Stakes had been in the stable’s mind for some time and the result turned out beautifully for connections.
Ridden by Daniel Stackhouse, Run Harry Run ($12) scored a three-quarter length win from Brave Mead ($3.70) with the $3.60 betting sites favourite Arkansaw Kid a further 2-¾ lengths away third.
“We saw this race a while again and thought that he was up to it, and it has worked out perfectly,” Moroney said.
“We thought at his first start it would be a bit short for him, but he was pretty unlucky.
“He probably should have been unbeaten now.”
Moroney said Run Harry Run was heavy as a colt and was beginning to have troubles with his front legs, so the decision was made to geld him.
“He got that heavy that he was having front leg troubles, so we decided to geld him,” Moroney said.
“He’s got a great brain and a lovely attitude then he goes out there, smells the daisies and doesn’t concentrate.
With the Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on December 2, Moroney said there was a possibility Run Harry Run could return to Caulfield for that race.
“He’s a lovely horse but it is just a matter of where we aim,” Moroney said.
Stackhouse said he wanted to be positive from barrier three and that he got a lovely run through the race.
“My bloke is so green and raw still,” Stackhouse said.
“I felt like I was going to get there, however he just took a while.
“He’s doing a great job.”