A BIG GROUP 1 SATURDAY

A busy Group One day for us with runners in the feature events at Randwick and some good chances nearer to home at Bendigo.

Roch ’N’ Horse (pictured) bids to go back-to-back in Group 1 sprints when she runs in the T.J. Smith Stakes at Randwick and Mike Moroney says the Per Incanto mare is thriving in Australia.

“I can’t fault her, she looks brilliant, looks lovely in the coat, has eaten everything since she’s been here and she’s put weight on in the right places,” Mike said.

“She’s up against the best sprinters in Australia and she’s possibly not that well suited at weight-for-age but provided she can handle the conditions then I think she’s in with a great chance.”

Bankers Choice has made the field for the Group 1 Doncaster which has pleased his trainer.

“He’s a bit of a question on such a heavy track but I’m extremely pleased with the horse,” Mike said.

“He’s lovely and relaxed up here and his work has been terrific.

“He’s got no weight on his back and if he gets the right run I think he will prove hard to beat.”

Nerve Not Verve runs in fourth race, the Group 3 Chairman’s Quality over 2600 metres.

“She’s settled in lovely and trained on terrific,” Mike said."She looks super and has improved, which she will have to in a strong race like this.

"I’d say she will settle forward to give her her best chance and if she can do that and relax than I can see her running a big race.”

Closer to home we have four runners at Bendigo starting with English King in the opening race over 2400 metres and Damien Oliver in the saddle.

“I’m going to leave tactics up to Damien - if he can fly the gates I will not be against him going forward,” Mike said.

“He’s finally out to his right distance, he looks fabulous and is working well. Provided he can get some luck from the awkward draw then I think he will be hard to beat.”

Our Birdsong runs in the second race over 1300 metres with Logan McNeil aboard.

“She’s drawn nicely and Logan knows her now,” Mike said. “Provided she jumps well we will be positive and go forward. If she can do that under her own terms then I do think she will prove hard to beat in what is a handy looking race.”

Scratchings have given Milford a start in the Golden Mile where he will be ridden by Patrick Moloney.

“He’s drawn well and this horse is pleasing me greatly on the track,” Mike said.

“It should be truly run with a bit of speed in the race and it does look competitive. Our horse is thriving this preparation - I’ve taken the crossover off and added the browband noseroll and he can run a cheeky race if things go his way because he is going that well at home.”

Poland rounds out our day at Bendigo in the last race over 1400 metres.

“It’s a handy race but he’s a handy horse,” Mike said. “There looks to be some solid speed in the race, he’s got the ideal distance here and he’s nice and fit.

“We have permission to get to the start early to avoid him getting upset in the pre-parade and I think he’s our best chance at Bendigo today.”