Sarrera Retired, Consul To Seek NZ Win
- Tuesday, 10 November 2009 08:15
The Mike Moroney-trained Sarrera has been retired, while Victoria Derby winner Monaco Consul could go for a third Group One win in the 2010 New Zealand Derby.
Moroney said nine-year-old Sarrera had run his last race when 16th to Viewed in last month's Caulfield Cup (2400m).
A dual Group One winner of the 2008 AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick and the Doomben Cup (2020m), Sarrera had to overcome a series of injuries to achieve his successes.
They included a bowed tendon as a three-year-old, an operation on his small intestine and a cracked rib and burst spleen after being kicked by a stablemate at the track.
"He's a lovely old horse and a real favourite of the stable and I'm just glad that he's retired nice and sound," Moroney said.
"He's done a great job and deserves retirement."
The Quest For Fame gelding earned more than $1.16 million from 42 starts for eight wins, seven seconds and three thirds.
Just three starts back Sarrera was runner-up to Daffodil in the Group One Windsor Park Stakes (1600m) at Hastings in September.
Moroney said he would have a long talk with the owners of Monaco Consul before making a final decision but at this stage there was a leaning towards preparing him for the New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie.
The High Chaparral colt has won three of his six starts and is unbeaten in two starts in Australia having won the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick and the Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington.
