STAKES RACE RUNNERS IN TWO STATES TODAY

Three runners for us today with English King and General Firepower at Flemington and Our Birdsong gaining a start at Eagle Farm.

General Firepower (pictured) is the first to go in race three over 1700 metres in a heat of the Mahogany Challenge with Jye McNeil aboard and Mike Moroney has added blinkers to help the son of Better Than Ready focus.

“I’m confident the blinkers will help him, he’s shown us at different times he might be a bit field shy,” Mike said.

“His work on Tuesday in them was good and although today looks an even race I do think that if the blinkers help him he is there to run well.

“The opposition is down to seven and he’ll jump from barrier six now which should still be ok with a nice long run to the first bend and with ordinary luck I think he will prove hard to beat.”

English King gets out to 2800 metres in the Andrew Ramsden with the lure of a golden ticket into the Melbourne Cup later this year.

“He’s not well suited by the weight scale however, I’m happy with the horse, he just keeps improving with each start this preparation,” Mike said.

“Ideally he can race a little bit handier from barrier three and the distance will suit him.

“We’re very happy with the horse and he is a winning chance in what does not appear to be the strongest versions of this race.”

Our Birdsong runs in the Listed Bright Shadow Quality over 1200 metres at Eagle Farm with Mark du Plessis aboard and drawn nicely in barrier six.

The Snitzel mare scored a strong win last start at Sandown and has settled in well in Queensland.

“Luckily she’s made the field after scratchings. There looks to be a fair bit of speed in this so I’d be planning on taking a sit just behind the speed today,” Mike said.

“The switch to Eagle Farm suits her, today is a step up in class for her but she’s fit and well and there to run a bold race.”