Two winners for Patrick Moloney in NZ

Trainer Mike Moroney and jockey Patrick Moloney have combined for two wins in New Zealand.

Patrick Moloney’s rushed trip to New Zealand has paid dividends with a winner at each of the two meetings he rode at including Derby hopeful On the Rocks at Ellerslie.

The Victorian jockey gave a polished display on Saturday aboard the Mike Moroney and Pam Gerard-trained three-year-old with a front-running ride in the Listed Trevor Eagle Memorial (1500m) a day after he rode stablemate Bocce to win at Otaki.

Moloney is trans-Tasman trainer Moroney’s stable jockey in Australia and delayed a holiday to travel instead to New Zealand to fill in for suspended Victorian apprentice Jake Bayliss who is riding there for for six months.

“Mike gave me the call-up and I was really impressed with the way this horse won,” Moloney told NZ Racing Desk.

“He’s got a lot of upside.

“It wasn’t the plan to lead the race, but after I gave the horse a squeeze out of the barrier he landed there and relaxed,” Moloney said.

“I got away with a couple of cheap sectionals and he held a good, strong gallop down the straight.”

On The Rocks has been cut from $31 to $12 for the Group One New Zealand Derby on March 3.