Morimoto set for Announcers’ Trophy

Last month's Bridge 99 FM Cup was a truly run race in which MORIMOTO did extremely well in the second run off a one-year break, a repeat of which should hand him Sunday's Announcers' Trophy.

MORIMOTO could finish ahead of old rival POWER RANKING, outsprinted by LUKSOL at five furlongs round on last.

Reporting at seven and a half furlongs, MORIMOTO almost pulled off the perfect coup at 15-1 in the Bridge, making him the horse to beat at six and a half furlongs with the run under his girth.

Had I REALISE not in the Bridge 99 FM Cup, a relaxed MORIMOTO would have stolen a march on RAINSVILLE. Pressed by MORIMOTO from the off, I REALISE churned 35.0, 46.4, 59.2 and 1:11.0 splits, which separated them from the field until RAINSVILLE motored for second along the rail inside the final furlong.

Thrown off-guard by the absence of speed gallops and a sixth-place finish, beaten 11 lengths down the track by ROJORN DI PILOT on his seasonal debut 28 days earlier, punters ignored MORIMOTO's back class with which he had departed a year prior, beating D HEAD CORNERSTONE and POWER RANKING at a mile in 1:40.1.

MORIMOTO attacked favourite I REALISE at the half-mile marker. Persistent to the final half-furlong, MORIMOTO finished two and a half lengths behind late-charging RAINSVILLE, who got within a short head of super-fit I REALISE's eye-catching 1:32.0 for the trip.

UNABLE TO TEST PACE

TEKAPUNT, BRINKS and SUNSET SILHOUTTE were among the runners unable to test the pace being set by I REALISE and MORIMOTO, none of whom should get close at a reduced trip. A shorter trip also spells trouble for the grey RAINSVILLE, who, up to a furlong out, was a length and a half behind MORIMOTO in the Bridge at seven and a half furlongs.

Though returning 10lb heavier, MORIMOTO, who was fourth in last year's 2000 Guineas before placing fifth in the St Leger and Jamaica Derby, ought to be controlling the pace with the trip cut back by a furlong, a major plus for the Casual Trick-Luckybegood colt.