Moore confident Deagon move can spark revival

By Glenn Davis

Trainer James Moore has only trained one winner this season, but he is confident his move to Deagon is the start of better things to come.

Moore moved from the Sunshine Coast to Deagon in December of last year and now has a team of 12 horses in work.

“I’ve only had the one win in 17 starters so far this season, but I’ve had a stack of placings, including Copper Star, who just went down at Caloundra on Sunday and a lot have finished in the first four,” Moore said.

“We’ve been a bit unlucky not to have had a few more winners.”

Moore is the son of former champion international jockey and trainer Gary Moore and nephew of legendary Hong Kong trainer John Moore, who won multiple premierships in the jurisdiction.

He is also the grandson of legendary jockey George Moore.

“The main reason for the move from the 'Sunny Coast' was to be closer to the beach, so I could mix up my training,” Moore said.

“It was a 45-minute drive each way from Caloundra to the nearest beach at Beachmere to work the horses.

“We have a sand track at Deagon and I can take them to Sandgate Beach, which is only a few minutes away, so I’m over the moon with the move.

“Deagon has a country vibe, but it’s in the city and it’s very relaxing for horses.”

Moore heads to Warwick on Thursday with Cheerful Cat in the Class 3 Handicap and hopes Water Lad will start in the Ratings Band 0 - 58 Handicap.

He described Cheerful Cat as a perpetual bridesmaid, with the gelding coming off a last-start seventh behind the Darren Bell-trained The Cops over 1900 metres at Kilcoy on August 23.

“He’s a perpetual bridesmaid, who has started 36 times and half of them have been in the first three,” Moore said.

“Unfortunately, he’ll need a wet track to do his best.”

Moore declared Water Lad, who gave him his sole winner this season at Dalby on August 11, as his stable’s best chance if he makes the field at Warwick.

“Water Lad is loving life as I swim him a lot,” Moore said.

“He’s had a few trainers before me, but they couldn’t stretch him out in distance.

“He’s developed into a 1400 metre to a mile horse now.”

Water Lad has finished second at both of his starts since winning at Dalby, including his latest effort in a 1300 metre Benchmark race at Toowoomba on August 29.

“He drew a wide gate at Toowoomba, but he still managed to find the lead,” Moore said.

“The winner got the drop on him, but he’s a better chaser than a leader, so he should go well again.”