Maroney Avenue amd Robert Thompson pull away to win at Tamworth yesterday. Photo: Barry Smith 110912BSC05
MARONEY Avenue kept his unbeaten record intact when the five-year-old son of Snitzel eased his way to a sixth race victory in yesterday’s Tamworth City Toyota Open Handicap (1200m).
The Rod Northam-trained gelding was second for much of the journey behind Studio Star but picked up the four -length margin turning for home and finished strongly for a length and a half win from the Gavin Groth-trained Subarc.
Maroney Avenue clocked 1min 10.70secs for the 1200m, a good time and effort, Scone-based Northam said.
“That was good – nice and relaxed,” he said.
“He got to the front and then switched off .
“It was a real good effort and gives us a few different options.
“There’s a couple of races at Newcastle for him – the Provincial Cup (1200m), the Cameron Handicap (1400m) or the Bill Ritchie (in Sydney).”
The Provincial Cup is a 1200m race at Newcastle on Newcastle Cup day (September 20) the day after the $150,000 Cameron Handicap (1400m).
The 1400m Bill Ritchie Handicap, a Group 3 handicap, is run at Randwick on September 22.
Jockey Robert Thompson said Maroney Avenue felt good on his way to providing him with a treble.
The Cessnock jockey made it a big day by winning the last on grey Mount Earnslaw in the Bath Stewart Associates Class 3 Handicap (1600m).
Trained at Wyong by Les Tilley, Mount Earnslaw surged to a fourth career win when the seven-year-old beat Barry Lockwood’s Acrophobia by four lengths .