LIAM DURKIN
HORSE RACING
By LIAM DURKIN
MOE Racing Club will host a nine-race meeting today (Monday, November 8).
The meeting will present the first opportunity since June that patrons will be permitted on course to see racing action live.
Cloud cover and a maximum temperature of 18 is predicted, with the initial rating of the track a Soft 6.
The Moe track has been one of the high points of recent times, as it has stood up to all types of weather and gained the adulation of trainers and jockeys alike.
Not even a 15 millimetre downpour which fell prior to a meeting early last month was enough to see racing rescheduled.
The StrathAyr sand-based track is designed to allow continuous drainage to occur and prevent surface water laying on the track.
Some prominent trainers will be on show today, including Peter Moody, who has a runner in Race 1, the Ladbrokes Bet Ticker 3YO Maiden Plate over 1217 metres with Chevalet.
Trafalgar jockey Jason Maskiell is riding $1.85 favourite Denirra in Race 2, the S&S Equipment Hire 4YO+ Maiden Plate (1217m) for Cranbourne trainer Luke Oliver.
The four-year-old mare will jump from barrier two in what will be its first start in 29 days.
Moe Cup winning jockey Patrick Moloney is in the saddle for the MBSS Security 4YO+ Maiden Plate (1217m) on board Our Tigersun.
Moe trainer Darryl Blackshaw will take three-year-old gelding Little Brother into the SVW Electrical Maiden Plate (1628m).
Little Brother will jump from barrier four and could prove good value for punters thanks to odds of $13.00 for a win and $3.50 a place.
Bundalaguah trainer Sharyn Trolove should be in with a good show in Race 5, the Ladbrokes Maiden Plate (2088m) with Raid The Bar.
The four-year-old gelding has run fourth in its last two starts at Sale, and this might just be the race that sees it land its first career win.
Blackshaw is again in action in the Kiss Print Solutions BM58 Handicap (2088m), with Vibrant Angel jumping from barrier one.
The four-year-old mare won at Moe 16 days ago and should carry some advantage because of this.
Sale trainer Troy Kilgower has two runners in the Able on Site Services BM58 Handicap (1017m) with Tiny Hussy and Urgent, while Trafalgar trainers Paul and Tracey Templeton will want to see seven-year-old gelding Commanding Witness continue its strong form.
Commanding Witness won at Bairnsdale last Monday, and came second in the race before that.
Moloney is on board $3.00 favourite Fashion Avenue in the Ladbrokes Cash In BM58 Handicap (1217m).
Blackshaw has a runner in the day’s final race, the Ian Grant’s Caravans Xmas Party Raceday BM58 Handicap (1628) with One Man Band jumping from barrier nine.
The five-year-old gelding won its last start at Yarra Valley on a Heavy 8.
Gates open at 12.30pm.
Proof of vaccination will be required.
