THREE CHANCES TO START 2023 WITH A WIN

Three runners at home to get 2023 started with No Secret, Jungle Jim and Sound racing at Flemington, Sound in the feature Bagot Handicap.

Sound (pictured) has enjoyed a quick freshen up following his last start fourth in the Pakenham Cup and Mike Moroney is very happy with the stallion.

“He had an easy time for a few days and we’ve kept him up to the mark since to have him ready,” Mike said.

“My one little worry is the inside barrier. He’s developed a habit of dawdling out of the barriers and that makes his job that much harder getting himself in awkward positions but if he can get away with them and race a little bit closer then I think he’s got a great winning chance.

“He’s not badly treated under today’s conditions so provided he can get away on terms I’m expecting him to be hard to beat.”

No Secret is the first to go in race three over 1400 metres with Craig Williams riding.

“She’s on a relatively quick back-up but I’m happy with her and although we haven’t done this before I can’t fault her,” Mike said.

“We’ve got a senior rider on today which will make a difference and if she brings her best form then she is definitely an each-way chance in what looks an even race.”

Jungle Jim is in race four over 1100 metres and coming off the back of an excellent first-up run at Pakenham.

“I thought he ran really well first-up and we’ve deliberately kept him fresh for today.” Mike said.

The sctachings have reduced the field to nine including him and often small fields up the straight can be tactical but he’s done well, he’s won second-up before and with ordinary luck I think he can run well in a race that has three last-start winners engaged.”