BUSY NIGHT AT THE VALLEY ON FRIDAY

A busy night at Moonee Valley with three runners for the stable on a hot autumn night.

Chicago Cub, Rue de Rennes and Touch A Cloud are all in action with Chicago Cub gaining a start in race four, the Benchmark 64 handicap for three-year-olds over 1200m with Nikita Beriman to ride.

Mike Moroney said the son of Zoustar will appreciate the firmer surface at Moonee Valley after winning first-up at Yarra Valley on a heavy track.

“He looks terrific and has trained on really well and I couldn’t be happier with him,” Moroney said.

“He just keeps improving and he’ll be a better horse on the firmer surface.

“It does look a particularly strong race bit I’m sure our horse will acquit himself well.”

Rue de Rennes is the first to go in race three, the Fillies and Mares Benchmark 78 handicap over 2040m where she will be ridden by Patrick Moloney.

“She meets a similar class of field she against last start at Sandown and the scratchings have made things a bit easier for her,” Moroney said.

“That said there are some handy mares in the race and it will be interesting to see how she measures up.

“It will be her first time around the Valley as well and she’s a big mare so that is a question mark but in herself she’s very bright and well.”

Touch A Cloud (pictured) is in the last race of the night, the Fillies and Mares Benchmark 70 handicap over 1200m with Patrick Moloney to ride from barrier two.

The daughter of Glass Harmonium led all the way to win at Pakenham last time out and Moroney said has done well since.

“It’s a relatively quick back-up and we haven’t done much with her,” Moroney said.

“It’s a harder race than what she won last time but she’s drawn to get a nice run. It’s her first time at the track as well and I think she should handle it.

“She was impressive last start and a repeat of that gives her a good chance.”