Kickup Rocky carries Moor's Group 1 hopes

By Glenn Davis

Former Victorian-based jockey Daniel Moor is hopeful of claiming his first Group 1 in his adopted state of Queensland when he partners talented youngster Kickup Rocky in the J.J. Atkins at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

The multiple Group 1-winning rider has a wealth of international experience riding overseas in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Mauritius.

Moor decided to call Queensland home late last year when he moved north from his former base in Victoria.

He found Victorian racing was becoming too demanding and looked around at other states to improve his lifestyle and spend more time with his family before choosing Queensland.

“I was a bit spoilt by riding in Asia where they only raced once or twice a week,” Moor said.

"When Singapore closed, I wanted to be more of a family man, father and husband.

“In Victoria, it’s seven days a week, whereas it’s not as full on here and the lifestyle is better.”

The 41-year-old Moor appreciates the support he’s received from local trainers such as Tony Gollan, Robert Heathcote and Desleigh Forster since settling in Queensland.

“The support I’ve had has been fantastic, but I always knew my work ethic would help me a lot,” he said.

“To win a Group 1 here would be a dream come true.”

It was Forster who provided Moor with his first winner since relocating at Ipswich last September.

Kickup Rocky roared into calculations for the J.J. Atkins with an eye-catching fourth to the Michael Freedman-trained Berzelius in the Group 2 Sires’ Produce at Eagle Farm last month.

A son of Better Than Ready, Kickup Rocky was last at the 400 metre mark in the big field of 16, before unleashing a powerful burst to finish fourth, less than two lengths from the winner.

“It was an excellent run in the Sires,” Moor said.

“I went into the race thinking he’d be hitting the line hard, but the barrier was the problem and I would have preferred to have drawn better.

“He’s still learning his craft and is going to be an even better three-year-old.”

Moor felt Kickup Rocky should have finished closer in the Sires’ Produce and is confident he can reproduce the run in the J.J. Atkins.

“He needs to step up another level, but I’m confident he can,” he said.

“He’ll be hitting the line strongly again.”

A J.J. Atkins win would give popular Eagle Farm trainer Forster her second win at the highest level.

She claimed her maiden Group 1 with former top sprinter Apache Chase in the Kingsford Smith Cup in 2022.