The Moonee Valley Quaddie

We kick off in the seventh race, the Ladbrokes Form Genius Handicap, a 1600m BM884 event with Mathletic who jumps from barrier five with "the very much in-form" Jamie Mott aboard.

It has been nice to see the imported son of Kingman improve during his second local campaign and his second up third behind the smart Oh Too Good was a most encouraging effort.

He has since run a very nice third in a home track jump-out since; good to the line behind the subsequent Supernova winner Here To Shock.

Up to the mile third up looks suitable and Michael is hoping to see the lightly raced six-year-old get to the front from his good draw.

"There looks to be another couple who may go forward but there is not a lot of speed so hopefully he can get an easy enough lead."

"This track always has a bit of give in it, hopefully the rain forecast this afternoon comes in time as that would help."

"He is going well and looks a chance in a pretty even race."

Our next runner Untethered has had excuses at his last couple of starts and we are hoping for an improved performance from him in the eighth race, the Drummond Club Handicap, a BM70 2040m contest.

Since leading throughout when fresh at Kilmore in early November, the five-year-old Turn Me Loose gelding has not had much luck with the same tactics - setting up a good pace at Caulfield in a race in which the swoopers fared better and at Geelong last time out taken on for most of the race.

Today he has drawn the inside gate for Jamie Mott but we are going to try something different with him.

"Rather than push him forward we will just let him be where he is happy, hopefully he can trail the leader or be a pair further back."

"If the right Untethered turns up he'll be hard to beat - we are very happy with him, he has trained on well, we can't fault him."

Also in great order is Bankers Choice (pictured, photo courtesy of Racing Photos) who is going to appreciate a drop in class in the BM100 Big Max Buggies Handicap after contesting feature races throughout the spring - and not always having the best of luck in them.

Daniel Stackhouse is in great form and barrier eight looks suitable for our boy who does get back in running.

"He looks terrific, he is working well, the distance will suit and it's a pretty even lot," Michael noted.

"If he brought his A game he'd just blow them away - he has a lot going his way, he just needs to turn up, it's up to him now."

Shuffled too far back in the Ballarat Cup and good vs the race shape in the Cranbourne Cup at his previous outing, Bankers Choice has been to Moonee Valley only twice; finishing second and fifth in the Gr.2 Crystal Mile.

The last of our four runners is General Firepower who takes his place in the BM78 1200 Bottle Stop Handicap with apprentice Tom Prebble claiming 3kg.

Having his first run since mid-July, the Better Than Ready six-year-old boasts a good first up record and is capable of running a bold race though Michael is cautious.

"He has had a couple of jump-outs but he did come back pretty burly. This would be a nice race to win first up but I do think the run will improve him a lot."

What is in General Firepower's favour is his "great gate speed" though barrier eight from the Moonee Valley 1200m start can be tricky.

"They can make you work a bit so a bit of luck from that draw is the main thing, hopefully he will fly the gates."

BREEDING TRIVIA: General Firepower hails not only from a strong black-type family, but from one which has been represented by stakes winners in all sorts of places... France, India, England, Japan, Ireland, Abu Dhabi and America.