Hercules Morse (2 c Caravaggio – Girluphigh by Unbridled’s Song)
Trainer: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace
Race: Magic Millions Ballarat 2YO Classic (1000m)
The powerful Ciaron Maher and David Eustace yard will unleash an interesting newcomer in the Magic Millions Ballarat 2YO Classic (1000m) today.
Hercules Morse (Caravaggio) is yet to make his first racecourse appearance but finished a closing second in a jump-out over 800 metres at Caulfield last Tuesday.
That was promising from the two-year-old, who is a current $11 chance in the market, and he looks certain to be involved in the finish under his rider John Allen as he jumps from barrier eight.
The main dangers may come from hot early $3 favourite and stablemate Fly Nice (Impending), who recently won a jump-out at Caulfield, and Not A Single Doubt (Redoute’s Choice) colt Cusack, who is currently a $6 chance.
A third Australian runner for sire Caravaggio (Scat Daddy), Hercules Morse was a $170,000 purchase by his trainers at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale this year and his current ownership includes Ballarat local businessman Tim Porter’s Madica Racing.
He is the fourth foal out of unraced Unbridled’s Song (Unbridled) mare Girluphigh, who was a US$240,000 purchase by Magic Millions at the Keeneland Broodmares Sale in 2016 and died in May this year.
Hercules Morse is a half-brother to Girl Mania (Capitalist), who was an impressive four-length winner over 1000 metres at Wyong on November 6, and is also a half-brother to unplaced pair Belt High (Smart Strike) and One Mississippi (More Than Ready) and to a yearling filly by Deep Field (Northern Meteor).
Caravaggio has had 78 starters so far in his stallion career, with 23 of those winners. The son of Scat Daddy (Johannesburg) is due to stand at Coolmore America in 2022 for a fee of US$35,000 (approx. AU$48,300).