FEATURE RACE RUNNERS ON SATURDAY

Milwaukee bids for back-to-back victories at Flemington on Saturday and Ruby Armani makes her Australian debut at Eagle Farm.

The last start winner is one of three runners for us along with Des Moines at Flemington and Ruby Armani at Eagle Farm.

Milwaukee runs in race seven, the Straight Six (Listed) over 1200m with Luke Currie to ride and to jump from barrier three after scratchings.

It is a step up in class for the five-year-old who drops 2.5kg on his last start win over the straight 1200m at Benchmark 84 level on May 4.

While it is a harder race, Mike Moroney feels there are several factors in Milwaukee’s favour.

“He loves the track and while it is a step up to Listed level there does not appear to be a lot of early speed in the race,” Moroney said.

“If that is the case then we should be able to sit in the first three. If it does develop into a sprint home then that should suit us too.

“He’s trained on terrific and looks great so I do think he goes into the race in as good a shape as we can get him.”

Des Moines runs in the last race at Flemington, the Furphy Ale Plate for three-year-olds over the straight 1100m with Patrick Moloney riding from barrier one.

The daughter of War impressed when leading all the way to score over 1200m at Mornington on May 7.

“She’s trained on particularly well and held her own with Milwaukee on Tuesday,” Moroney said.

“It’s a step up in class for her and I’m not so sure about drawing the rail.

“I just want a strong pace as she’s possibly looking for further but we’ll have to wait and see how the pattern of the day is.

“Provided she gets a clear run then I’d expect her to run well in what is a tougher race.”

Ruby Armani runs in race four at Eagle Farm, the Grinders Coffee Roasters Stakes (Gr 3) over 1300m with Jake Bayliss to ride and jumping from barrier 10 in the 12-strong field of mares.

It is the second start this preparation for the six-year-old which was not beaten far over 1400m at Hastings on April 27.

“She’s settled in here terrific and has not put a foot wrong,” Moroney said. “She hasn’t missed a beat, is eating and her work has been superb

“It’s a strong field as you would expect at this level and difficult to evaluate the different form lines.

“I’d say they will go pretty fast early and I’m expecting her to be finishing off strongly and if they do go at a crazy speed then she could get home over the top of them.”