CUP DAY RUNNERS AT MOE ON THURSDAY

A busy day for us with four runners at Moe including Gundown in the Cup.

The $150,000 Moe Cup has attracted 14 starters with Gundown (pictured) to jump from the outside under James Winks.

The son of High Chaparral was beaten 2-3/4 lengths into fourth on the Gold Nugget over 1600m at Ballarat last time out on September 22 and Mike Moroney is happy he chose this race today.

“He’s got a few things in his favour with a soft track and I think we’ve made the right decision to start,” Moroney said.

“The barrier is probably not ideal but the conditions are. It doesn’t look the strongest of races but we’re happy with the horse.

“He’s come on nicely for the two races he has had and provided he gets some luck from the draw then I do think he can run a big race.”

Themagicneverends gets the day started in race three, the Maiden Plate over 1600m with Jordan Childs riding from barrier two.

It is the second start for the three-year-old son of Monaco Consul who made up some ground in the home straight to finish sixth on debut over 1300m at Bendigo on September 26.

“The step up in trip will certainly help him but he’s struck a strong field for a Maiden at Moe,” Moroney said.

“That said we’re happy with our horse and he’s definitely headed in the right direction. The little bit of give in the track should suit him and while it looks a strong race for this class it should give us a good guide on how he is progressing.”

King Landon is racing consistently with a win and four placings from five starts this preparation and he runs in race four, the Benchmark 64 Handicap over 1600m, scratchings reducing the opposition to nine with Jordan Childs in the saddle and jumping from barrier nine.

“Now the track has come up as soft perhaps being drawn wide out will not be a major disadvantage,” Moroney said.

“He’s nice and bright in himself and in good form so he’s there to run well and another win will not surprise.”

Hurricane Fighter is our other runner in race five, the Benchmark 78 Handicap over 1600m with James Winks riding from barrier seven under James Winks.

The son of Savabeel won beaten under half a length when fourth in a blanket finish last time out over 1335m at Geelong on September 30.

“If we get the chance we’d like to try leading on him as he seems to lob along at a nice cruising speed,” Moroney said.

“The soft ground won’t bother him so we’ll just see how it pans out.

“He’s up in class but he’s in well at the weights and I think with the right sort of run he’s a good winning chance.”