Moritzburg off the mark in taking fashion

Moritzburg proved different class to the opposition in the mile maiden for three-year-old colts and geldings in Listowel.

Michael Halford 's colt came in second on his seasonal reappearance in Cork last month and had clearly progressed from that outing.

Shane Foley, in the Godolphin colours, sent him into an early lead and the pair shot clear a furlong and a half out.

The 7/4 favourite powered away to put seven lengths on the runner-up Allegio (8/1). He was a length and a quarter in front of Aljunood (14/1).

Michael Halford said: "He was entitled to do it off his form, his rating and the experience had. It's a good front-runners track and we kept it simple.

"He is a big scopey horse and benefitted from the run the last day and it was probably no more than he deserved to do today.

"He was Listed placed as a two year old and we thought plenty of him but he had a few little issues and seems to have them behind him now. That will do an awful lot for his confidence and we'll see what the handicapper does now."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes