Mike Moroney isn't as confident of a Spring Champion upset this time around but believes outsider Missing In Action still has the ingredients needed to be competitive on Saturday.The Moroney-trained Monaco Consul went around at $51 in last year's Group One Spring Champion (2000m) when winning by 1-1/2 lengths before going on to claim the Victoria Derby (2500m) at his next start.Missing In Action will be even longer odds than his stablemate at Randwick on Saturday, with the son of 2004 Spring Cha

Mike Moroney isn't as confident of a Spring Champion upset this time around but believes outsider Missing In Action still has the ingredients needed to be competitive on Saturday.

The Moroney-trained Monaco Consul went around at $51 in last year's Group One Spring Champion (2000m) when winning by 1-1/2 lengths before going on to claim the Victoria Derby (2500m) at his next start.

Missing In Action will be even longer odds than his stablemate at Randwick on Saturday, with the son of 2004 Spring Champion winner Savabeel unplaced in four starts ahead of his Group One assignment.

Moroney admitted the gelding doesn't have the same quality that had him confident of success 12 months ago but said he was a three-year-old with staying potential who would see out the 2000m.

"He's got a couple of ingredients needed for this race," Moroney said.

"You've got to be able to stay, and he's had the right preparation with a nice step up in distances going into the race with four runs under his belt.

"He's nice and fit so he does tick a couple of boxes, but in saying that he is still a maiden."

Missing In Action is one of two or three young stayers Moroney is targeting at the Victoria Derby and the trainer decided to split up two of his Derby hopefuls this weekend.

Muirfield will run in the UCI Stakes (1800m) at Flemington on Sunday while Missing In Action's experience racing right-handed in New Zealand was a factor in him being given the chance in Sydney.

Missing In Action had his first two starts across the Tasman over 1200m before being sent to Australia with the Derby in mind.

"In his first run here (when last in the Listed Henry Bucks over 1400m at Flemington) we were very disappointed but Craig Newitt said he needed blinkers," Moroney said.

Moroney applied a set of blinkers for the gelding's most recent start in a 3YO Maiden (1600m) at Ballarat where he ran on from near the tail of the 15-horse field to finish sixth.

"He ran a good race but struggled in the heavy going," Moroney said.

"We looked at the forecast and with the prospect of reasonable ground decided to head to Sydney.

"There are a couple in the race that stand out but after that it falls away a bit and we know our horse will stay."