A BUSY SATURDAY FOR US ON OUR HOME TRACK

A busy day at home for us on Saturday with five runners at Flemington.

Des Moines is the first to go in race four, the Ken Cox 3YO Handicap over 1000m with Patrick Moloney riding from barrier five.

The daughter of War ran a terrific race last start when finishing runner-up at Flemington over 1100m and Mike Moroney has stakes ambitions for Des Moines this preparation.

“She’s trained on well - we haven’t done too much with her as she’s back in trip,” Moroney said.

“It looks a little bit stronger than the last race but the small field will make it interesting but our filly would appear to like the straight and the run today should set her up nicely for the Creswick Stakes.”

Eagle Ridge runs in race five, the L V Lachal Handicap over 1400m and jumping from barrier nine under Jordan Childs.

Eagle Ridge ran extremely well last time out to finish third behind Begood Toya Mother over 1400m at Flemington.

“The scratchings have helped but the barrier is still going to be awkward,” Moroney said.

“If he begins sharply like he normally does than I’d say we’ll try and go forward and get across. It’s a deep race and he’ll need a bit of luck but with ordinary luck then I’m expecting him to be in the finish.”

Radipole resumes in race eight, the Henry Bolte Handicap over 1400m with Jordan Childs to ride from barrier one.

It is the first start this preparation for the import which last raced in December.

“We gave him a long break and I think he’s better for it,” Moroney said. “Unfortunately for us he’s struck a very deep race.

“The draw will help and I’m pleased with the way he’s prepped up so I’m expecting him to run well and whatever he does he will improve on.

Strike Force also runs in race eight and he too is resuming, having last raced at Moonee Valley in December.

“We couldn’t be happier with him but it’s a particularly strong race,” Moroney said. “It’s not the ideal starting point but he’s ready to go.

“He looks terrific and I’m sure he will run well but it’s a nice race to get him started.”

Wham (pictured) rounds out the day in the last race, the Eugene Gorman Handicap over 1600m from barrier eight with Jordan Childs to ride.

Moroney has dropped the son of Fiorente back in distance after finishing unplaced over 2000m last time out at Flemington.

“He’s had a bit of racing but he appears to be handling it well and I can’t fault him,” Moroney said. “It looks a similar class of three-year-old he’s been racing against and if he can find a spot from the draw and with some speed in the race then I think he can be in the finish.”