THIRD TIME LUCKY FOR DES MOINES ON SUNDAY

Des Moines and Grand Teton are our runners on Sunday when they head to Mornington.

Des Moines is in race one, the 2YO Maiden Plate over 1200m with Patrick Moloney to ride and Grand Teton is in race four, the Benchmark 58 Handicap over 2020m with Fred Kersley claiming.

Des Moines (pictured) finished fifth at her last start in the Group III Bloodhorse Breeders’ Stakes at Flemington, making good ground late over 1200m.

The daughter of War and VRC St Leger winner Inkster has run well in both her races and has surprised Mike Moroney with how well she is coping.

“She’s trained on lovely and done everything right, she keeps eating and is an amazing filly really,” Moroney said.

“We haven’t done a lot with her as she is running reasonably quickly from her last start.

“The field has been reduced to seven and I think it will take a smart one to beat her, provided she handles the track.”

Grand Teton is racing for the sixth time this campaign and as the highest rated horse in the race was allocated topweight of 62.5kg.

The son of Rip Van Winkle finished second over 2000m at Warrnambool at his last start.

“We’ve decided to claim to help him with two kilograms off the weight,” Moroney said.

It’s a decent field with some handy looking horses and I’d say we will look to go forward and try and get a spot just behind the lead.

“He’s fit and well and ran well last start so with ordinary luck from the draw then I think he will run well.”