Mornington trainer Peter Healey wants to run impressive Moonee Valley winner Galbraith in the Group Two Moir Stakes this spring despite the sprinter's advancing years.Healey outlined the plan after the former Hong Kong galloper, who has a degenerative bone disease, scored an emphatic victory in Monday's Simpson Construction Handicap (1000m).Ridden by apprentice Jake Noonan, Galbraith was pressured by Woppitt but drew away at the finish to score by 1-1/2 lengths from Jeteven and stakes winner Mid
Mornington trainer Peter Healey wants to run impressive Moonee Valley winner Galbraith in the Group Two Moir Stakes this spring despite the sprinter's advancing years.
Healey outlined the plan after the former Hong Kong galloper, who has a degenerative bone disease, scored an emphatic victory in Monday's Simpson Construction Handicap (1000m).
Ridden by apprentice Jake Noonan, Galbraith was pressured by Woppitt but drew away at the finish to score by 1-1/2 lengths from Jeteven and stakes winner Midnight Mustang.
Three-year-old Our Baby Bonus started $2.05 favourite but suffered his first defeat in his five-start career, finishing in fourth place.
Healey said Galbraith, a seven-year-old, was highly-talented and the Moir Stakes on Cox Plate Day was a realistic goal.
"This horse has got serious super speed," Healey said.
"I would love to have him back here on Cox Plate day for the Moir." Galbraith won twice in 14 starts in Hong Kong where he finished last at his last three runs before joining Healey's stable.
However a veterinary examination recommended retirement for the seven-year-old before Healey could even enter him for a race.
"When we had him first checked out the vet at Ballarat just looked at him and said no way would we get him to the races with his issues," Healey said.
Galbraith suffers from subchondral bone disease which has attacked the joints between his cannon bone and fetlock in his legs.
"His bone is breaking down but he just keeps going," Healey said.
"All his work is at the beach and he responds to it." Galbraith has now won twice at Moonee Valley and placed twice at Caulfield in his four Australian runs.
"This is his first preparation since coming from Hong Kong and I think he can only get better," Healey said.
He said his next run before a pre-spring break would be the eighth heat of the Victorian Sprint Series (1000m) at Flemington on June 26.
"They say he is better down the straight so it will be interesting to see how he goes at Flemington," Healey said.
Meanwhile, Our Baby Bonus may have run his last race this winter after pulling up sore.