The Mike Moroney-trained Hang Man (IRE) broke through for his first stakes win in Saturday’s Group III Easter Cup (2000m), adding further silverware for connections following successes in the Yarra Valley Cup and Benalla Gold Cup.
Ridden by Daniel Stackhouse, the 7yo gelding defeated the favourite Persan (Pierro) by a long-neck with Mahamedeis (Magnus) a long-neck back in third.
With his maiden stakes success, Hang Man (IRE) advanced his record to nine wins, five seconds, and five thirds from 33 starts with earnings of $626,195.
If nothing else, Hang Man (IRE) proves what an exceptional eye Paul Moroney has for a horse.
The respected bloodstock agent sourced Hang Man out of the Rossenarra Stud draft for just €15,000 at the 2015 Tattersalls (Ireland) September Yearling Sale.
There certainly was nothing on the pedigree to jump out at you at the time of purchase, although it has improved quite a bit in recent years under the second dam Felucca (Geen Desert).
It needed delving back four generations to Nodouble’s stakes-winning daughter Chain Store, the dam of Irish 1000 Guineas winner and influential broodmare Al Bahathri, for any sign of a bit of class.
Hang Man’s dam Halliard (Halling) made four starts, with her lone placing coming when a 20 length third of four in a mile and a half maiden at Yarmouth.
And who could put their hand up and say they have heard off Hang Man’s sire Windsor Knot?
A Group III winning son of Pivotal, Windsor Knot stands as a dual purpose stallions at Rossenarra Stud in Ireland.
Stable representative Jack Turnbull said the intention is to campaign the Irish import in Queensland during the winter.
“He’s in a rich vein of form, and it’s good for all connections and the stable to pick up a couple of good solid wins,” Turnbull said.
“It was a very deep field, but he had no weight on his back. He is always interesting from the barrier when he jumps. It was the perfect ride from Stackhouse, and he let it all unfold in front of him.
“He always gives you a great turn of foot, and when he was saved up the way he was today, he lets down really well, and you knew over a mile-and-a-quarter that he would let down.
“We were thinking of giving him a little let-up and taking him up north to Queensland. The Doomben Cup is where we’ll head. He’s only getting better with age, so we’ll push on.”
