WINNING CHANCES FOR US ON DERBY DAY

Proud Mary, Sound, Tour Of Duty, Wisaka and Buffalo River run for us today on Australia’s biggest race day, Derby day at Flemington.

Proud Mary is the first to go in race two, the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes over 2000m with Daniel Stackhouse to ride.

“I’m really happy with her and the way she’s trained on,” Moroney said. “Unfortunately the blinkers didn’t help her last start and this is obviously a big step up for her however, she’s always shown us that she wants to stay so we feel we should give her a chance.

“She over raced in the blinkers last start and then when she got to the straight she had nothing left to give.

“She looks terrific, is nice and bright so today’s the day to see if she can measure up and make her way to the Oaks.”

Sound is trying to gain another start in the Melbourne Cup by winning race four, the Hotham Handicap over 2500m.

“He had no luck at all last Saturday which was no-one’s fault, on a track favouring leaders we opted to follow them and then they stopped at the worst moment just as we were trying to build momentum and couldn’t get clear until the race was over,” Moroney said.

“He’s bounced out of it in great order, he’s had a quiet week, has kept eating and from the draw we believe he can settle just behind them and get every chance.

“If he gets ordinary luck he can win which will be great as I do believe he deserves his place in the Cup field.”

Tour Of Duty and Wisaka start in feature race, the Victoria Derby with James McDonald aboard Tour Of Duty and Ben Melham on Wisaka.

“Tour Of Duty worked up terrific here Tuesday,” Moroney said. “I’ve taken the winkers off him as the key to his chance will be to relax.

“He was beaten less than a length last start in the Norman Robinson at Caulfield against some of the horses he meets today so he’s entitled to his place in the race.

“If he can switch off and come into the race in the straight then I can see him running well, his female pedigree is very stout and it’s just a pity we will have to go back from the draw but if he can relax then that will give him a chance.”

“Wisaka is by Tavistock and has always shaped like a stayer,” Moroney said. “He’s improving with racing and the more practice he gets the better he will get.

“He got back and then finished off in the Derby Trial at Geelong last time out and a repeat of that form would give him a chance.

“I’d like to swap his barrier two with Tour Of Duty but we’ll ask Ben to get him into a rhythm, let him balance up and then see if he can run home, I’d say that will be his best chance but it will certainly be no surprise to me to see him run well.”

Buffalo River (pictured) rounds out our day in race eight, the Group 1 Cantala Stakes over 1600m with Craig Williams riding from barrier seven.

“He’s as well as we can get him and his work on Tuesday was as good as I’ve seen him - he’s at his peak for today,” Moroney said.

“He’s not well treated by the weights but he’s drawn nicely and he’ll be on speed, I don’t think he has to lead but it will be up to Craig to judge the speed.

“It’s obviously a strong race but he’s definitely in it with a winning chance.”