MARIA ELISA HAS NO WEIGHT AT MORNINGTON

Maria Elisa is the sole representative of the stable when she runs at Mornington on Sunday.

Maria Elisa will jump from barrier two in the fifth race, the Benchmark 64 Handicap over 1000.

The daughter of Denman is approaching peak fitness after two runs this preparation and Mike Moroney has elected to claim with Jordan Grob.

“The claim gets her in on 52.5 kilograms and means she gets a lot of weight relief from the others, at least 4.5 kilograms and up to seven from the topweight,” Moroney said.

“That said she’s a three-year-old filly against the older horses so every little bit helps.”

Maria Elisa has experience at the quirky Mornington circuit having finished runner-up when resuming on October 10 and Moroney feels this is another advantage.

“She ran well there and she is fitter now - if she can relax a bit better from the draw she should be in the thick of things,” Moroney said.

“The track is listed as soft and she won her Maiden on heavy so the cut in the ground will suit her.”