Trainer Mike Moroney embraced some belated winter warmth with Shenzhou Steeds in the LR Ipswich Cup (2150m) on Saturday.

Moroney had been down on firepower during the Queensland carnival until Shenzhou Steeds (NZ) was sent north after a Flemington victory in May.  He starred at last year’s carnival winning three on end culminating with a LR victory in the Sunshine Coast Guineas.

“He’s won four from four in Queensland and might go to the Caloundra Cup in a fortnight,” Moroney said.  “It was his first time past 1600 metres and I think he can run 2400 metres.”

Moroney bought Shenzhou Steeds for $120,000 on the recommendation of jockey Chad Ormsby.  “Chad rang me up after winning on him in New Zealand,” Moroney recalled.  “Said he could develop into a Cups horse.”

Ormsby now trains in partnership with Moroney and is the partner of his daughter Aliesha.  It was the second Ipswich Cup for Moroney following NZ bred gelding He’s Back On Track (First Norman) in 1997.

Shenzhou Steeds is by Ishiguru (Danzig) who died due to complications from a knee injury in September 2009.  He shuttled from Tweenhills Stud to Australia in 2003 and was then re-routed to Chequers Stud in NZ.

His dam Sun City is a half-sister to G1 AJC Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Reganza (Vice Regal) who foaled G1 VRC Oaks winner Kensington Palace (Kingston Rule).

Sun City won 5 races up to 2100m in NZ and her earlier foals include NZ stakes performer Sun Valley (Van Nistelrooy) and Hong Kong winner Hot Shot (Ishiguru).  The mare has an unnamed 2yo filly from Ishiguru’s last Kiwi crop, a yearling colt by Keeper and a filly foal by Battle Paint.