It is an itch which saw Moroney's brother Paul – who spends much of his time in Europe sourcing quality staying stock – develop a fixation on the brilliant staying mare Voleuse De Coeurs over a 12-month period.
You would expect a filly whose name translates to 'Thief of Hearts' to prove elusive for the Moroneys, and she was exactly that.
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"We've been trying to source the right horse for a while and she was on our radar last year, even at the age of three, so that's how good a stayer she was at a young age," Mike Moroney said ahead of the race.
In the days before the Irish St Leger in September, Paul Moroney was trying to broker a deal involving breeding operation Eliza Park, but the vet check left enough of a doubt in their mind to hold fire.
It was a costly hesitation, as she went out and won that race by six lengths, increasing her value significantly. She was purchased for a reported $1.8 million soon after.
"We had her before the St Leger and things went wrong with the vet check. We were only left with two hours to make our minds up. We were on the side of caution because there were a couple of things we had a question about. But we since found out they were old injuries," he said.
"I am glad we ended up with her. It was touch and go there for while and hopefully she can be our Melbourne Cup runner for the next three years."
If Dermot Weld had his way, then Voleuse De Coeurs would be starting favourite for the 2014 Melbourne Cup, but the Moroneys felt her current form warranted a shot at this year's race.
Weld is famous for winning the Cup twice and Mike Moroney believes the education he gives his horses as they are coming through the staying grades in Ireland is crucial to their ability to adapt to Australian racing.
"He takes them through the races where there are big fields. She is used to racing in big fields. Even the way she races ticks the boxes for over here."
That education plus her obvious staying talent – she has won her two two-mile races by a combined margin of 18 lengths – puts her in a great position to win Tuesday's race, with bookies having her at $19 in an open market.
"She did that as three-year-old against older horses," Moroney said this week. "You'd think that she'd improved again at the two miles. What we were really happy with was the fact she showed turn of foot on top of the ground.
"Group One racing is always difficult and a field of 24 you need a lot of luck. But we are confident we have got the right horse and we are confident she is a good as we can get here in the time we've had her."
"If she does bring her best form here, she is going to be the one to beat."