Sophrosyne shines

An exciting performance by up-and-comer Sophrosyne at Cranbourne on Sunday, the lightly raced three-year-old recording a very soft maiden victory.

Having only his third start, the son of Testa Rossa raced greenly in the early stages - getting his head up and mouth open and drifting back to last.

Despite this, he looked the winner a long way from home - Mark Zahra easing him wide around the field from the 700m and giving him a tap at the top of the straight.

Again he was a little wayward in the straight but just too strong, drawing clear over the final stages to hands and heels riding.

"He did it pretty easily," Zahra enthused, "he had them covered along way out."

Michael Moroney has always had a good opinion of Sophrosyne - "he has been a bit immature but the penny is starting to drop now."

"He is a promising horse. We will take each run at a time but he has kept improving this time in and I think we will get him to town."

Raced in the Cappellin family colours of the Italian flag - those also carried by Testa Rossa, Sophrosyne is named after a Greek theory of moderation.

There is nothing moderate about his ability however, and the stable look forward to a bright future - "he has got real talent," said Moroney.