Trainer Mike Moroney believes his progressive three-year-old gelding Shelby Cobra should be unbeaten and few would argue after the son of Toronado (IRE) powered home in Saturday’s Listed The Amanda Elliott (1400m) at Caulfield.
Following a luckless fourth on debut at Moonee Valley on October2, Shelby Cobra was a facile three and a half length winner over 1400m on a heavy track two weeks later.
Settled midfield by Ben Melham, Shelby Cobra again looked a bit lost when asked for the supreme effort in the straight.
Once balanced up the son of Toronado (IRE) hit the line strongly to defeat another promising sort in the Sacred Falls colt Tommy Gold by a length with the pacesetting Deep Field gelding Deep Speed in third.
“He wanted to get the wanders when he hit the front, he was waiting for them at bit but he is new to the whole thing so that is expected,” Moroney said.
The Sandown Guineas now comes under consideration.
“We want say no but we don’t make decisions on race day so let’s see how he pulls up. We will consider all avenues but he looks an exciting horse Moroney said.
“Paul spotted him at the sales and I follow Paul around and make the final decisions. From the time I saw him he is just a beautiful balanced horse.
“I saw Toroado (IRE) race at Royal Ascot and this horse is a dead-pit of his father, probably more than any I saw that year.”
Pinhooked by Maluka Thoroughbreds for $70,000 out of the Makybe draft at the 2018 Great Southern Weanling Sale, Shelby Cobra caught the eye of Paul Moroney at the 2019 Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, who in association with Ballymore stables shelled out $130,000.
The handsome bay is the first to race out of the Dane Shadow mare Segenhoe Valley whose dam Scone (Zabeel) is a half-sister to stakes-winner Sunrise Silence (Squill) and a half-sister to the stakes-placegetters Royal Integrity (Naturalism) and Discretion (Canny Lad) who is the dam of Group III winner and Group 1-placed Royal Discretion (Royal Academy) and Roulettes (Flying Spur).
Purchased by Makybe for just $17,000 at the 2016 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, Segenhoe Valley has a 2yo colt by Starcraft named Star Acclaim and foaled a sister to Shelby Cobra on October 26.
Shelby Cobra becomes the seventh stakes-winner for Swettenham Stud shuttler Toronado (IRE).
The dual Group 1 winning son of High Chaparral (IRE) stands at a fee of $27,500.
