Surreal Moran dominates from the top

A couple of two year olds dominated their older rivals and quinellaed the first race at Wyndham today.

The winner Surreal Moran, (Stay Hungry) trained by Darren Keast and driven by Mark Hurrell, took charge from the mile dispatch while filly Justaweesip sat parked and finished second, a half a head from the winner.

“I said to Mark to push the go button early and if he got to the top not to be afraid to lead up. But to make sure, he kept the horse concentrating, kept the bit up in his mouth,” Keast said.

The gate speed shown by the two year old gelding didn’t surprise his trainer.

“He’s come off the gate in all his trials. In the last two trials I’ve left the hopples off him. He’s good enough to go free legged but just at the moment with the pressure on (early in the race) I opted to put the hopples on him today.”

SURREAL MORAN REPLAY

Owned by Keast’s grandfather Paul Renwick, Surreal Moran was bred by Caine McIntyre of Macca Lodge and is the third winner in New Zealand by Somebeachsomewhere stallion Stay Hungry. The others have been Beaudiene Hunter and John Stewart.

Surreal Moran was sold at the 2024 Yearling Sales for $30,000. He’s out of Sirius Flight whose other winners include Timeless Perfection and Malak Uswaad.

“He’s still learning. Every time he’s gone off the property he’s improved. Last time at the trials he actually ran off down the back straight twice without the hopples on and rolled into a gallop, but he landed straight back into a pace which is rare for a free legged pacer.”

Keast intends to remain in the south until the end of the month with his team of four. His other two year olds, Uncle William and Dream Street ran well in the two year old feature at Gore, finishing second and fifth.

“It’s all very pleasing really.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink