Graceful Storm impresses with Sandown win

Trainer John Moloney will ponder the immediate future of Graceful Storm after the filly remained unbeaten with victory at Sandown.

The Caulfield-trained filly was a debut Bendigo winner earlier this month before adding Saturday’s Ladbrokes Plate (1000m) to her record.

A $110,000 Magic Millions yearling purchase on the Gold Coast, Graceful Storm has almost recouped her purchase price with her two victories coupled with VOBIS bonuses.

Ridden by Moloney’s nephew Patrick Moloney, Graceful Storm was backed from $8.50 to $7 before scoring a half-length win over Al Dorama ($4.60) with Templar ($15) a head away third.

“I may ease up and give her a break but I don’t like making raceday decisions,” Moloney said.

“She’ll do the talking and we’ll just watch for a while and work it out.”

Moloney said he had a little query whether the filly would be able to back up her debut victory.

He said the two-year-old hadn’t shown him a great deal in her early education but continued to improve with galloping and trials.

“Obviously she has a bit of quality about her so you just believe in that,” Moloney said.

“She’s still green as she was running around but there is a little bit of hope there.”

Winning rider Moloney said he had formed a healthy regard for the filly after riding her in the majority of her gallops before the Bendigo win which he was forced to miss because of riding commitments in New Zealand.

“She’s got a lethal turn of foot but she got there too soon and wanted to float today, but when the penny drops she’ll win a nice race,” Moloney said.