WE'RE BACK IN THE TWILIGHT ZONE ON THURSDAY

Back to the twilight zone for us on Thursday with Rainbow Thief and Smoker’s Lounge at Pakenham.

Smoker’s Lounge is first to go in the second race, the Maiden Plate over 1400m with Martin Harley to ride.

It is the first time to the races for the son of Eurozone and Mike Moroney says is still a work in progress.

“I was happy with his last jumpout and he’s making good progress both physically and mentally,” Moroney said.

“We’ve waited to start him on a roomy track which is why we are at Pakenham. It’s difficult to say how he can perform in what looks a decent enough field, albeit a small one.

“He’s a horse that is gradually working it out and is ready to go to the races and the experience will be good for him so I am looking forward to getting him started and showing us some of the promise he’s shown at home.”

Rainbow Thief (pictured) goes in race six, the Benchmark 70 Handicap over 1400m with Michael Dee in the saddle and drawn barrier one.

Rainbow Thief finished third over 1200m last time out at Sandown and Moroney has been keen to stretch the son of Rock ’n’ Pop out to 1400m again.

“The step up to 1400m should suit him now after two runs back and he’s drawn the inside,” Moroney said.

“We’ve been doing a lot of work trying to get him to relax so I’m just hoping we can get some cover in the small field.

“I’m extremely happy with the way he’s trained on and provided the race is truly run I’m expecting him to be hard to beat.”