First Start for Merchant Navy Relative

Trained by the powerful Hawkes Racing stable, well-related 2YO filly Marooniyah (Sebring-Maroon Bay, by Exceed And Excel) makes her debut on Wednesday at Canterbury in the opening race of the card, the Microphone @ Darley Handicap (1250m). From the second last crop of the former Widden Stud based Golden Slipper winner Sebring (More Than Ready), who died in February 2019, the Emirates Park-bred and raced Marooniyah is out of the winning Exceed and Excel mare Maroon Bay, a half-sister to Fastnet Rock's dual Gr1 winner and Coolmore Stud stallion Merchant Navy, the Gr2-winning, Gr1-placed Jolie Bay and recent Listed Queensland Day Plate winner Setanta. In the small field of nine acceptances, Tommy Berry's mount Marooniyah is one of just two unraced runners, the other being the John O'Shea-trained and James McDonald-ridden Tavi L'Amour (Tavistock-Love Diamonds, by Danehill) who was given an easy time in a recent barrier trial third. She's a half-sister to Gr2 winner Queen of Dreams (Savabeel), from the family of Group 1 winners Tristalove (Sir Tristram), Viking Ruler (Danehill), Viscount (Quest For Fame) and De Beers (Quest For Fame).

Marooniyah is closely related to Merchant Navy (pic: Mark Gatt)