DAY AND NIGHT RUNNERS TODAY

Day and night runners for us on Friday including Harlech in the feature Benalla Cup.

Harlech is one of our two runners at Benalla with Bellows the first to go in race five, the benchmark 58 handicap over 1406m with Fred Kersley riding.

Bellows ran well first-up when finishing second at Donald and has pleased Mike Moroney since.

“There is rain forecast which will not help as he prefers good ground,” Moroney said.

“It’s a valuable race for the class and as you would expect it looks competitive with a lot of horses on similar ratings.

“The wide draw (11 in a field of 14) is not ideal so we will ride him quiet and get him to relax and then run home.

“If he can get those things in his favour then I do think he will be hard to beat.”

Harlech (pictured) runs in race eight, the $125,000 Benalla Cup over 1406m with Daniel Stackhouse in the saddle.

The four-year-old has not run up to his trackwork in his two starts this preparation and Mike Moroney has made some small gear changes.

“We can’t fault him and his work has been excellent again,” Moroney said. “We’ve added earmuffs and the tongue-tie off to help him relax which has been his undoing.

“He looks terrific, is fit and well and I can’t fault the way he looks - if the rain did arrive he has form on soft ground in New Zealand and any give in the ground will help,

“Provided it’s a truly run race then he should be hard to beat and it looks a great chance for him to be winning.”

Nerve Not Verve is in race two at Moonee Valley, the Fillies and Mares open handicap over 2040m with Michael Dee riding and drawn barrier two in a field of nine.

Nerve Not Verve finished fourth last start over 1600m at Bendigo and will appreciate the extra distance of this race.

“We’re keeping an eye on the weather but the forecast is predicting the bulk of the rain after her race,” Moroney said.

“She’s fit and over her right distance tonight. The draw helps her to race on the speed and all things being equal I think she’s a great chance.”