Carnival comes to a close

The final day of the Flemington carnival is upon us and we hope to wind up an extremely successful week with a win - or maybe even a trifecta - in the $300,000 Gr.3 Matriarch Stakes.

One of the feature mares events of the spring, the 2000m contest has attracted a hot field of classy gallopers from around the country. And it is a capacity field with two of our's - Platinum Passion and Our Tigress - named the emergencies.

Fortunately a scratching has ensured the former a place and we have to wait until the morning to see if Our Tigress can get a shot.

Meanwhile Marheta is well and truly assured of her place in the field, boasting strong form at black type level.

Unfortunately she has had no luck at all with barrier draws this time in and that curse has afflicted her again - gate 14.

She is in good shape however - "we are very happy with the way she is going," said Michael Moroney - pointing out that the four-year-old's three runs this time in have been sound without much luck.

Platinum Passion meanwhile comes off a gutsy last start Moonee Valley win. On that occasion making the pace, she was headed at the top of the straight only to fight back.

Always well regarded by the stable, the grey granddaughter of the great mare Horlicks steps up to the 2000m for the first time and Moroney is confident she will see out the trip.

"She has trained on well since her last run and she has always impressed us as a staying prospect."

Our Tigress (pictured) also tackles the 2000m for the first time and she is another nice middle distance type whose latest unplaced run must be overlooked.

"She got knocked about at Moonee Valley. We have always thought that this sort of distance would suit her."