A BIG DAY FOR US ON SATURDAY

A big day for the stable with seven runners at three venues including On The Rocks in the Doomben Cup.

It is the first start in Australia for On The Rocks (pictured) who will be ridden by Jake Bayliss and jump from barrier three.

“There doesn’t look a lot of speed in the race and from his barrier I think he can take up a forward position,” Mike Moroney said.

“He’s a winner at weight-for-age but I must admit I was disappointed with his last start at Ellerslie, he wasn’t beaten as far as the position suggests but he did put in a plain run before winning his Group One.

“He’s arrived in good order and looks terrific, his work on Tuesday suggested to me that he will run well.”

Last start winner Pinmedown runs in the Group 2 The Roses over 2000m with Michael Walker in the saddle.

“She’s drawn lovely in barrier six and from there she should get the right run. There look to be quite a few backmarkers in the race and they’ve mainly drawn wide,” Moroney said.

“I’m really happy with here, she’s settled in particularly well and hasn’t put a foot wrong.

“She can be a bit difficult but is getting better so if she handles the race day atmosphere I expect her to run a big race.”

Za Za Gabor is the first to go in race two, the Benchmark 75 Handicap over 2000m with Michael Walker riding and to jump from barrier nine after scratchings.

“There doesn’t appear to be a lot of speed in the race which could make the barrier awkward,” Moroney said.

“Ideally she can take a position with some cover but we’ll leave that up to Michael.

“She too has arrived here looking terrific, it’s still a strong race even with all the scratchings and will likely need some luck from the draw.”

Eagle Ridge is the first of our three runners at Flemington in race five, the National Hall Of Fame Benchmark 78 Handicap over 1400m with Jordan Childs to ride from barrier eight after scratchings.

“There looks a bit of speed in the race so he should get his chance,” Moroney said.

“He had no luck last start in a stronger race but with ordinary luck I will not be surprised to see him run a big race here.”

Wham runs in race seven, the Mahogany Challenge over 2000m from barrier 13 after scratchings and Jordan Childs to ride again.

“The draw doesn’t look the best but for him it’s not so bad as he’s better out in the clear,” Moroney said.

“It does look a winnable race - he just needs some luck but he’s trained on terrific from his luckless last start and I’m expecting a big run.”

Mr Marathon Man runs in race eight, the John Meagher Hall Of Fame Trophy over 1400m from barrier five with Jordan Childs in the saddle.

“He’s in really good order and although you would say this will be too short for him on his European form he’s showing us a bit of zip,” Moroney said.

“He’s fitter for the first-up run at Warrnambool, I’d like to see some give in the track but I do think he’s going well enough to run a big race.”

Gottaluvtrucks ventures to Wodonga for the first race, the Maiden Plate over 1590m with Dylan Dunn to ride from barrier four and Moroney is expecting a big run.

“The step up in distance looks ideal for him, he’s drawn well and it does look a nice race for him so I’m expecting him to run very well.”