The late Mike Moroney always believed The Pendragon could capture a feature race in Australia, and that dream now rests with the Lindsay Park team of Ben, Will and J D Hayes.
A Group 2 winner in New Zealand, The Pendragon also chased home star mare Orchestral in the Karaka Millions before crossing the Tasman. His Australian debut campaign proved taxing, culminating in a below-par run in the Australian Guineas.
After a quiet spring and another spell, he has been transferred to Lindsay Park and resumes in Saturday’s Listed Chautauqua Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.
“We’ve only had him this preparation and he’s been going well,” Ben Hayes said. “I think it’s a nice race for him to kick off in. The small field will enable him to balance up and hopefully hit the line and surprise us.”
The gelding has strong New Zealand form, with victories over Quintessa in the Auckland Guineas (1400m) and placings behind Orchestral, suggesting he may now be ready to deliver in Australia.