Viking Hero to contest Gr.2 on Saturday

Third up from a spell, the classy Viking Hero looks nicely primed to run a big race in Saturday's Gr.2 Autumn Classic (The Yalumba 161) at Caulfield.

Catching the eye with a strong late finish at Sandown first up, the promising three-year-old was not far away from boom galloper Linton in the Alister Clark Stakes - not really finding the track to his liking.

"Moonee Valley didn't really suit him," said Michael Moroney who is confident that the step up to 1800m on Saturday will suit the son of Elvstroem.

"He is getting up to his right distnace now and he should be competitive."

The AJC Derby is the main aim for Viking Ruler who, after this race, will head to Sydney with the Rosehill Guineas also on his agenda.

Drawn nicely in barrier five at Caulfield, he will be ridden by Mark Zahra who was aboar the colt when he finished first across the line in Listed company at Flemington last spring - unfortunately losing the race on protest.

We also have two nice runners at Moonee Valley on Friday evening - St Ives and Linton Street.

St Ives, contesting the $100,000 Tour Of Victoria Final, has - like last start at the track - drawn an awkward outside gate but Moroney is hoping that the race will be run to suit.

"Last Friday night was not a track for leaders," he said, "but the rail is out futher this time so we will monitor the pattern early and decide what to do with him."

Linton Street has recovered well from a fall in the Colac Cup and he lines up in the $100,000 Moonee Valley Night Cup. He too has drawn out - barrier 11 - but he has plenty of time in the 2500m contest to find his feet.

"He copped a bit of a battering last start," Moroney said - "a horse broke down in front of him and he just didn't have time to get off his heels. He is right now though and he is up to his right distance."

A winner over 2800m on Melbourne Cup Day, Linton Street - providing he performs well at Moonee Valley - will have a crack at the Adelaide Cup.