TWO RUNNERS AT WANGARATTA ON MONDAY

Born To Fight and Truffle Hunter represent Ballymore Stables at Wangaratta on Monday.

Born To Fight (pictured) is the first to go in race one, the Hygain 3YO Maiden Plate over 1170m.

The track is currently rated heavy(8) and Mike Moroney feels the son of Street Boss will be able to act on the ground.

“Soft would be ideal but I think he will be able to handle it,” Moroney said. “The form out of his last race looks pretty strong."

“Immediately afterwards we were a little disappointed as we felt he would win but having seen how the form from the race has held up then the run was satisfactory.”

Born To Fight finished third behind Feng Chu and Spirit Of Aquada last start over 1200m at Sale and Moroney has added blinkers to the gelding to help him focus.

“There are some nicely bred horses in the race and it’s hard to line them up but Born To Fight has had some experience and I’m counting on the blinkers to sharpen him up,” Moroney said.

“This race will tell us if we should be pressing on into the Spring with him. He’s always shown us good ability at home and if he produces it on race day then he can be winning.”

Truffle Hunter has drawn nicely in barrier two for race four, the Tim McCurdy Maiden Plate over 1400m, and Moroney is glad of the advantage for the son of Delago Deluxe.

“To draw where he has is a great plus as he’s a horse that has taken a bit of time to mature,” Moroney said.

“He’s had a bit of practice at home and I don’t think his racing manners will be an issue.

“He’s as fit as he can be heading to the races for the first time but he still has scope for physical improvement.

“On what he’s shown us at home we think he’s going to be better over a bit further but the race will tell us a lot more than an 800m jumpout.”