Racing at the Valley - and beyond

The stable saddles up two nice chances at Moonee Valley on Saturday – Bronislava and Chase The Sun.

Taking her place in the feature event of the day, the $70,000 Travis Harrison Apprentices Cup, Bronislava was a little disappointing at her most recent outing in a similar contest but Michael Moroney has been happy with her work since.

“She is going really well,” he said. “She had drawn a tricky gate (10) but she is always competitive in these sorts of races.”

A five times winner from 21 starts, the daughter of Galileo will be ridden by our apprentice Jordan Mallyon whose 3kg claim brings Bronislava nicely in at the weights.

Meanwhile Craig Williams takes the ride on Chase The Sun in the seventh race, the Don Abell Cup.

He is fitter for recent runs over shorter trips and Moroney is confident of a better showing over the 2500m.

“He will strip at his best for this,” he said, “and his work this week has suggested that he is on the improve. Craig has ridden him before and it doesn’t look a particularly strong race. We expect him to run a much improved race.”

We also have several runners at the provincials in Victoria and Queensland over the weekend – Itimio and Golden Jaguar racing at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday whilst locally Pointe Dancer and Zero To Gold line up at Wodonga and Spontaneous at Cranbourne.

Running a bold race at his recent Queensland debut, Itimio has been consistent without winning but the son of Flying Spur has his hoof firmly on the till.

“He looks well placed,” Moroney said, “and his maiden win is not far away – hopefully it is this Sunday!”

Golden Jaguar ran a great race fresh last start and is bound to be improved. A second up winner last time in, the son of Refuse To Bend has shown promise from day one.

“We have always had a bit of an opinion of him,” Moroney said. “The only slightly query is that he may now be looking for the mile but he is aided by a lovely barrier draw.”

Spontaneous had not fared so nicely with the draw at Cranbourne on Sunday but he is an honest type expected to acquit himself well.

“He disappointed a bit last start,” Moroney conceded, “but he was a bit slow to move and he was hunted up. From an outside gate on Sunday we will let him get back, ride him a bit more conservatively.”

Having her first run since early March, the promising Pointe Dancer kicks off her campaign in the second race at Wodonga on Sunday.

Boasting an excellent fresh record and consistent overall form, the three-year-old daughter of Noverre has drawn the outside of gate 16, giving the stable pause for thought over whether she will take her place.

“But sometimes on those winter provincial tracks being drawn out can be an advantage,” Moroney pointed out.

“With her city form it is the right sort of race for her, she just needs a bit of luck.”

Zero To Gold will appreciate a step up in distance in the third race at Wodonga, having finished off nicely over 1200m at his second start.

“The best part of his run was the last bit,” Moroney said. “He too has drawn awkwardly but the 1590m will suit him at this stage.”