TRAINER Michael Moroney will be keeping a lookout rain-affected tracks after smart sprinter Yesterday’s Songs produced a stunning run to win the listed Wangoom Handicap (1200m).
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Jockey James Winks allowed the five-year-old bay gelding to settle in the early stages after missing the start badly.
He guided Yesterday’s Songs along the rail throughout and hit the front in the final 100 metres to score a stirring win.
Yesterday’s Songs ($10) won by a length from last year’s Wangoom winner Royal Island ($14) with $11 chance Jimando 1.75 lengths away third.
Greg Hoystead, foreman for Melbourne Cup winning trainer Moroney, said the wet track at Warrnambool made all the difference, although he praised the ride of Winks in saving ground.
“He won very well and we do have a bit of luck here at Warrnambool. We don't mind coming down here,” he said.
“The wet track made all the difference. We put the full set of blinkers on him today but he just needs that wet track.”
Hoystead said Yesterday’s Songs was just under the elite level.
“He’s just under that top level but the wet track brings him up to that mark,” he said.
“Mike said 'tell him to take all the shortcuts’. Missing the start probably also helped because he can over race.”
Hoystead said Moroney would consider taking Yesterday’s Songs to Brisbane for the carnival.
“It can get wet up there and that would of course suit him. That will be up to Mike. He would be competitive in a race at the Sunshine Coast. I’m sure Mike will find a race for him,” he said.
Jockey James Winks said he planned on a rail-hugging run.
"There was no reason to go out. … it's pretty fresh ground and not wet on the day,” he said.
"Yesterday was where they galloped and today was fresh ground,” he said.
Part-owner John O'Neill encouraged Moroney to take Yesterday’s Songs to Warrnambool.
"We just needed a wet track. He's been good enough to go home and get a feed every night but not good enough to be winning,” he said.