ENGLISH KING DEBUTS TODAY

Three runners for us at the Bendigo stand alone meeting today including the Australian debut of English King.

English King (pictured) runs in the feature of the day, the Golden Mile over 1600m with Daniel Stackhouse aboard and jumping from barrier one after scratchings.

English King has not raced since finishing sixth in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris over 2400m at Longchamp last September but has pleased Mike Moroney in jumpouts and trackwork,

“We are well aware this is short of his best distance but we deliberately wanted the big track to kick him off,” Moroney said.

“It’s a bit unfortunate that he’s drawn the inside but it is what it is.

“I’m very happy with him, he looks particularly well and the last two pieces of work he has had have been excellent, he sat off a mate on Tuesday and went past him comfortably on soft ground. His form is best on firmer ground so I’m hoping the track is improving for today.

“He’s got a few things against him but he’s a class animal and today will tell us if we press on to Sydney or stop and give him more time to acclimatise ahead of the spring.”

She’s A Thief is the first to go in race two, the benchmark 84 handicap over 1100m with Daniel Stackhouse aboard and drawn the outside in a field of 10.

It is the first start this preparation for the daughter of Showcasing who has come back stronger as a five-year-old according to Mike.

“We’re very happy with her, she’s come back stronger and is a happy mare,” Moroney said.

“I’m not too concerned about the barrier, she’s got enough speed to get across if she jumps with them but if she jumps slow like she can sometimes than we’ll just have to revert to plan B.

“Whatever she does today she will improve on but she’s forward enough to run really well and I’m sure she will.”

Leiter is our other runner in the last race of the day, the benchmark 78 handicap over 1300m with Lachlan King in the saddle and reducing the weight to 57.5kg from barrier six.

Leiter ran well in his first start for the stable to finish third over 1200m at Moonee Valley in February and has had a maintenance jumpout since.

“I thought he ran well first-up and he’s struck a similar field today over slightly further,” Moroney said.

“I can’t fault the horse, he looks great and provided he gets ordinary luck then I’m expecting him to be in the finish.”