SUNDAY RUNNERS AT MORNINGTON

Two Sunday runners for us as Birdsong and Opoho Dreaming head to the peninsula to race at Mornington.

Birdsong makes her Australian debut in race one, the Benchmark 70 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m with Jordan Childs riding from barrier one.

The Snitzel four-year-old has won three of her five starts and has prepared for today with some solid jumpouts at Flemington according to Mike Moroney.

“She hasn’t raced since March but she’s trained well here and had a couple of solid jumpouts,” Moroney said.

“I think she’s pretty forward and has tightened up since her last trial.

“The track is listed as a heavy (9) which is possibly like a New Zealand soft which she’s won on and she gets first use of it.

“It’s a handy mares race for a Sunday but it’s spring so understandable. She’ll likely go forward from the barrier and put herself in the race and she’s ready to run well.”

Opoho Dreaming is in race two, the Benchmark 70 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1500m and with Jordan Childs in the saddle.

It’s the third start this preparation for the daughter of Tavistock.

“The softer going will certainly suit her but she will need to improve,” Moroney said.

“As with Birdsong, this is a handy race with some city winners engaged and the scratchings have reduced the opposition to seven.

“She’s fit after three starts but I think she’ll need to be at her best to be competitive here.”