WE'RE OFF TO BENDIGO ON SUNDAY

Four runners for us at Bendigo on Sunday including an English import making her Australian debut.

Tour Of Duty is the first to go in race one, the 2YO Maiden Plate over 1400m with Michael Dee riding.

It is the first race start for the son of Hinchinbrook and Mike Moroney feels his breeding suggests Tour Of Duty will not be inconvenienced by the heavy going.

“He’s shown us plenty of natural ability and I’d have thought he will not be too worried by the wet track,” Moroney said.

“My one little concern is his experience - he’s only had the 800m jumpouts and I think he’ll be better over further but this is a good place for him to start off his career.”

Laybuy has his second start this preparation in race two, the 3YO Maiden over 1400m with Jordan Childs in the saddle.

“The track is a heavy (8) but we get an early use of it,” Moroney said.

“It doesn’t look a strong race and he’s drawn well. We’ve taken the blinkers off him to help him relax.

“He’s fitter coming into this and if the gear change works then I will not at all be surprised to see him run a good race.”

Iowa Hawkeye gets a run in race seven, the benchmark 70 handicap over 1600m, with Michael Dee in the saddle and to jump from barrier eight after scratchings.

“He’s got good gate speed and will likely go forward from that draw,” Moroney said.

“He’s holding his condition well and I’d say he’ll prefer some give in the ground however, I don’t know about heavy.

“If he can cope with the ground then I’m expecting him to run well.”

Alexana (pictured) is the last to go in race eight, the benchmark 70 handicap over 1400m with Michael Dee to ride and now out of barrier five in the field of eight.

It is the Australian debut for the lightly-raced daughter of Al Kazeem, already a winner twice in England.

“She’s settling in well and her condition is good,” Moroney said. “She’s surprised us with a bit of speed in her jumpouts and I think she’s forward enough to run a cheeky race if she can handle the ground.

“On her English form and pedigree she’ll need further than today but we’re happy with her going into this race.”