READY TO ROCH AT HOME TODAY

It’s a big day at home for us today with six runners, headed by Roch ’N’ Horse bidding to go back-to-back in Australia’s premier sprint, the Newmarket Handicap.

Roch 'N' Horse (pictured) was working home strongly first-up in the Oakleigh Plate at Sandown, the six-year-old a picture of health and Mike convinced she is a better horse this time around.

"She is a different sort of mare," Moroney said. "She's furnished even more and has matured into a gorgeous mare now. I can't fault her.

"I've been amazed with her. She's a totally different mare and just got power everywhere. Her last piece of work on Tuesday tells me she is ready to run a big race.

“She’s up in weight from last year and it’s a strong field as you would expect but she loves the straight and I’m sure she will be in the finish.”

Snapper also runs in the Newmarket with Michael Poy riding from barrier four.

“It’s his toughest test but we’ve had this race in mind, he’s in on a light weight and he loves the straight.

“He drops a huge amount of weight, he’s quick enough to be in this race for a long way and he’s in good order so I’m pretty sure he can lead them on the inside section.

“He’s nice and fit, if he did happen to get an easy time on speed than I can see him running a bold race.”

Emissary runs in the Australian Cup Prelude over 2000 metres with Blake Shinn to ride.

“I thought his first-up run was excellent under the circumstances. His sectionals early in the home straight were terrific and he’s come through it well and his work on Tuesday was terrific,” Mike said.

“It was a pretty tough assignment the way it was run after the saddle shifted on Mick Kent’s horse resulting in the race being run at a brutal tempo, forcing Emissary to be used up earlier than had been anticipated.

Today’s race will decide the autumn plans for the import, Mike originally planning to run in the Australian Cup and then head to Sydney for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick.

“We initially had thoughts of the Australian Cup and the Queen Elizabeth, but now we’re thinking more along the lines of the Tancred Stakes (March 25) and Sydney Cup (April 8) from what we’ve seen so far,” Moroney said.

“This race is the crossroads with where we head with him, but I’m thinking the latter rather than the former at this stage.”

So You See and No Secret both run in the Matron Stakes over 1600 metres with Jye McNeil aboard So You See and Fred Kersley on No Secret.

“They are both in great order and I can’t fault them. They galloped together on the grass and ther was nothing between them through the line so I can’t separate them.

“So You See is going to appreciate racing at home, No Secret bids for the hat trick so provided they can both have trouble free runs I’m expecting both to be in the finish.

Not An Option rounds out the day in race eight, the Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap over 1400 metres with Patrick Moloney aboard from barrier one.

“it’s a solid enough race but he’s good enough I think,” Mike said. “His last start was much better than it looks on paper, his finishing speed was terrific.

“He’s really well, I can’t fault him and if he can get a stroke of luck from the draw I think he’s a great winning chance.”