Peter Jolly admits his talented galloper Morvada will need to win and win well at Flemington on Saturday if he is any chance of joining sons Richard and David and granddaughter Chantelle with an All-Star Mile runner.
David Jolly will have dual Group 1 winner Behemoth in the feature while Regalo Di Gaetano has rocketed into sixth spot in voting and all but secured Richard and daughter Chantelle a surprise starter in the $5 million feature.
Peter Jolly said a lack of profile and small ownership base hasn’t helped Morvada’s quest for an All-Star Mile birth, but the veteran horseman is confident he can put himself in the picture via a bold showing this weekend.
“I’m hoping he can do something tomorrow to enhance our chances,” Peter said.
“The only way I’m going to get him in there is with his performances. I’ve only got one owner apart from myself and Richard (McIntosh), and he’s in Panama.
“I’ve done my best trying to scout some votes, but it’s very hard.”
Peter said Morvada had taken plenty of benefit from his first-up run behind Blazejowski at Caulfield and said the horse won’t know himself down in the weights after the claim for in-form SA apprentice Will Price.
“I can’t remember the last time he carried that sort of weight,” Jolly said.
“He’s down in class too, so I expect him to be very hard to beat.
“He needed that run (at Caulfield on Australia Day). He’d only had a couple of jump-outs and only knocked up the last 100m, so he’ll strip a lot fitter that’s for sure.”
Peter has his eyes on a Group 3 at Flemington in a fortnight’s time to further enhance his prospects of snaring an unlikely All-Star Mile slot.
“I’m going to run him in the Shaftesbury Avenue in a fortnight…” Peter said.
“I dodged the Futurity (Stakes). Small fish are sweet. I’ll take the easier option and hope the horse can perform and get in there.
“If he doesn’t, he doesn’t – so be it. We can pick up some money along the way.”
IMAGE: Morvada pictured before running second in last year’s Leon Macdonald Stakes at Morphettville.