A Southland Guineas has eluded Terry Moseley in his long riding career.
But maybe - just maybe - Replique could change that.
The 48-year-old jockey travels south to Winton tomorrow for a strong book of rides, headlined by Replique in the Southland Guineas and Sureasyouwereborn in the Invercargill Gold Cup.
Darci Brahma filly Replique caught the eye in the Dunedin Guineas a fortnight ago, looking flat on the turn before sprinting well up the rails to run a close second to New Zealand Derby prospect Son Of Maher.
Natural improvement and the extra 200m suggests Replique should be a handy contender over the 1600m, and she is likely to open a $4 second favourite to Princess Davone when the fixed-odds market is released later this morning.
Moseley is no stranger to the Nick Wigley-trained filly, who was partnered with Alysha Collett at Wingatui.
"I won a maiden on her at Ashburton and she was quite impressive,'' Moseley said.
"It was on a wettish track, but she backed up and went good in the Dunedin Guineas and there's no reason why she won't be a good ride on Sunday.''
Replique has drawn barrier 9, but Moseley has plenty of time to let the filly settle before making her bid up the Winton home straight.
"You would think the mile would suit her better too.''
Moseley takes the ride on Sureasyouwereborn in the $40,000 Invercargill Gold Cup.
He said previous staying form, including a fourth in the New Zealand Cup, made her a contender in what appears to be an even field.
"She mixes her races up a little bit and a couple of rides have been a little back to front,'' he said.
"But you can't count her out. She stays good and the 2800m will find a couple of them out, I would think.''
Moseley teams up with his old mate To The Max in the Summer Cup, as the 2015 Cromwell Cup-winner is fresh-up for a new campaign.
The Cromwell Cup was Moseley's 900th win, but a winter and early spring campaign for To The Max failed to produce similar results.
"He's been a pretty handy horse to me so I've always had a bit of time for that bloke,'' Moseley said.
"He must have trained off or been a bit crook, because he had been pretty consistent up to his last three or four starts. I was at a bit of a loose end to explain his last few runs, but he's had a spell and hopefully he comes back better this time up.''
