Matamata trainer Paul Moroney was predicting a bright future for 3-year-old Haddle McDaddle after the colt's upset win in the $35,000 Rough Habit 3yo at New Plymouth.
Haddle McDaddle returned a win dividend of $19.60 after having been promoted from second to first at his previous start when clearing maiden
ranks at Ellerslie.
"He's still mentally and physically very weak," said Moroney, who trains the horse in partnership with his brother Mike.
"When he grows up, he'll be a group [race] winner at between 1600 and 2200 metres, I'm quite sure of that."
Haddle McDaddle will head to the spelling paddock in the meantime before preparing spring racing.
"We only brought him down here [to New Plymouth] because he needed experience and the trip away will help him," Moroney said.
The Moroneys train Haddle McDaddle, by Strategic, for Aucklander Ross Vernall who paid $65,000 for the horse at a Sydney yearling sale.
"I thought he was a cracking colt," recalled Paul Moroney.
"At the time the Strategics were flying."
Haddle McDaddle was ridden by Matamata apprentice Chas Ormsby on Saturday who was offered the mount after senior rider Michael Coleman opted to ride Pin High.
Pin High was second, three lengths in arrears of Haddle McDaddle at the line.
- NZPA
