BARTHELONA STARTS ANOTHER CAMPAIGN AT CAULFIELD

Two runners for us at Caulfield on Saturday with Barthelona commencing another campaign.

Barthelona (pictured) runs in race five, the Clanbrooke Racing Benchmark 84 Handicap over 1200m with Michael Poy in the saddle and jumping from barrier eight.

It is the first start this preparation for Barthelona who has not raced since finishing unplaced over 1427m at Sale in February.

Mike Moroney is pleased to see some give in the track for the five-year-old.

“It’s a big thing for him - it’s soft and more rain forecast so it should really suit him,” Moroney said.

“He’s only had the one jumpout coming into this and while he looks as though he will improve for the run he always runs well first-up.

“There looks like there is a bit of speed in the race so the instructions will be to ride him where he’s happy.”

Strike Force is our other runner in the last race, the Catanach’s Jewellers Benchmark 84 Handicap over 1400m with Michael Poy reducing his weight to 58kg.

It is the second start this preparation for the six-year-old, who had no luck at a vital stage of the race when resuming at Flemington on June 8.

“If we get anymore rain then that should not be a problem for him and he’s a lot fitter going into this,” Moroney said.

“There looks a bit of speed in the race which should give him a chance to get across from the barrier but he races best when going forward.

“If he jumps away with them then I think he can run a big race with ordinary luck.”