Suzie Right On Cue In Topgun Stayers Triumph

MORAINE Suzie stepped off the reserves bench to claim the Group 1 Topgun Stayers at The Meadows on Saturday night.

Gaining a start from box two following the scratching of nominal favourite Super Estrella, Moraine Suzie stepped well but was shuffled back to second last through the first turn. Mepunga Ruby, having her first start in four months, began well to lead but it was Sandown Cup champion Untapped that assumed control with a lap to go.

With the field strung out passing the post the first time, Moraine Suzie railed strongly to improve her position and down the back straight had cut the margin to four lengths. Turning for home, Moraine Suzie swept past Untapped and powered to a three-length victory in 42.43.

? SPORTSBET TOPGUN STAYERS

The first reserve MORAINE SUZIE stormed home to win the $121,500 Group 1 @sportsbetcomau #TopgunStayers at @MelbourneGreys for trainer Brendan Pursell.#GreyhoundRacing #DreamChasers pic.twitter.com/ijBlQOcDy1

— WatchDog Racing (@WatchDogRacing) November 5, 2022

The win capped a remarkable rise for the daughter of Melbourne Cup winner My Redeemer.

Moraine Suzie won a restricted win series over 595m at Sandown in July before stepping up to the staying trip and announcing her potential with a dazzling 41.47 win over 715m at Sandown.

She ran third in the National Distance Championship at Wentworth Park but her two runs subsequent had trainer Brendan Pursell concerned.

"I was that worried about her because in Sydney I just don't reckon she fired," said Pursell.

"We freshened her up and gave her a few trials and she's trialled good so I was just hoping she go like we knew she could.

"I couldn't be more proud of her."

Moraine Suzie was well supported coming into the race, backed from $15 into $6.50, however Pursell was unsure where she was at prior to the run.

"I know she's a nice bitch and her couple of runs before she went to Sydney were terrific,” he said.

"I was hoping she'd just keep going better and better and she just sort of disappointed me a little bit. To be honest I was just wanted to see how she'd go tonight."

The $75,000 winners cheque more than doubled her career prize money which now stands at $134,405.