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Back a winner: Moe plays host to a nine-race program today.

file photograph

Bumper meeting at Moe

HORSE RACING

MOE plays host to a bumper nine-race program today. Sadly due to current restrictions, no members of the public are allowed on course as participants vie for a share of $225,000 in prizemoney. Two Benchmark 64 Handicaps headline the program. The first, run over 1200m, sees the return of the exciting talent Holt. Holt, a four-year-old son of Night and Thunder, broke his maiden status at the 1214m trip on August 29 in impressive fashion. The track was last night rated a Soft 6, but with showers predicted today, a downgrade may not only be likely, but suit the chances of the Enver Jusufovic-trained galloper. Jake Noonan has been booked to ride Holt, who was rated a $2.60 favourite on Ladbrokes. Gdansk, fresh from a Benchmark 58 Handicap win on the Pakenham Synthetic at his most

GREGOR MACTAGGART’S SELECTIONS

Race 1: Miss Middle Park, Identical, Senegalia; Race 2: Saskatoon, Alpine Ace, Silent Charge; Race 3: Ima Dozer, Retell, Bodrum; Race 4: Luna Too, Maree De Lune, Always Definite; Race 5: Yulara, Trigger Point, Pannier Dame; Race 6: Accordingly, Hanaki Warrior, Californiafirebird; Race 7: Holt, Deprivation, Galactic Fury, Race 8: Joltin’ Joe, Drone Strike, Brazen Strike; Race 9: Mussenphere, Without Excuse, Toorak Playboy.

recent outing, could prove the testing material with Thomas Stockdale in the saddle riding for his uncle Shane. The second, also run over 1200m, appears a tougher race to assess if the market is any indication. No Shame ($5.50) is the top elect, although six gallopers are rated in single figures. The race boasts a strong local presence with So He Rules (Peter Gelagotis), Joltin’ Joe (Team Templeton) and The Great Bratski (Christine Sexton) headlining the Moe contenders. Joltin’ Joe generates attention on the strength of his fourth place effort in Benchmark 64 company at Cranbourne in his most recent start. Jason Maskiell stays in the saddle. Some of the early races feature interesting debutants including Miss Middle Park, a daughter of Japanese star Maurice and Senagalia, who both line-up in Race 1. Team Hawkes bring a rare horse to Moe in Saskatoon, who was bought for $80,000 at the 2020 Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale. Saskatoon, rated the $4.50 favourite on Sportsbet, will be partnered in his first race appearance by jockey Fred Kersley. The first is timed to jump at 1pm, with the last at 5pm. Television coverage is available through Racing. com (Channel 68) and Sky Racing, with RSN 927 and SENTrack providing radio commentary.

Ready to run: The parkrun participants soak up the pre-event briefing.

Good to be here: The Canfield family from Sale travelled to be part of the Grand Ridge Rail Trail parkun. Parkrun makes a welcome return

PARKRUN

GRAND RIDGE RAIL TRAIL

SATURDAY morning was a warm start to the weekend and 40 people came out to run, jog or walk for the return of parkrun after lockdown 6.1 and the first event of spring 2021. In addition to many of the regular local participants, parkrun was joined by eight first timers including the Canfield family from Sale, all decked out in matching shirts and Pam Viola, in a change from her regular spot as photographer, pushing young Charlie along on the trail. With finish times over the 5km course ranging from Darcy, the first finisher who regularly runs the course in a quick 20 minutes to tail walker Helen, a volunteer role that ensures everyone gets back safely to enjoy a post parkrun coffee who clocked a time of one hour and 27 minutes, parkrun really is for everyone. Walk, jog or run at whatever pace works best for you, join everyone at the café of the week for a catch up afterwards – it’s all about getting everyone out and about to start their weekend right. Thanks as always to parkrun volunteers this week, Glenn Wearne, Julia Groves, Helen Lughetto, Liz Radcliffe, Mark Lynch, Stacey Harriage, Libby Belton, Pam Pincini, Paula Calafiore, Glenn Wearne, Annie Holland.

Cups contender produces solid first-up showing

RACING

MOE galloper Long Arm earned a pass mark from trainer Peter Gelagotis following his first-up 11th at Flemington on Saturday. The Irish import, who holds nominations for both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup, closed home well to finish 3 ½ lengths adrift of winner Floating Artist in the $130,000 Very Special Kids Pin and Win Plate (1700m). “Long Arm was a good return for his first-up run and naturally should come into his own over distance,” the stable reported on Saturday night. The two other Team Gelagotis runners at Flemington finished down the track in the TAB Long May We Play Plate (2500m). Serenade The Stars was second-last, beaten 13 ½ lengths and edged out stablemate Blandford Lad for that position by a nose. “Both (horses) …. are heading to low grade staying races in the near future which should suit better during this tough period,” the stable reported. The highlight of the meeting was the $1 million Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) won by boom horse Incentivise. The Queensland product, who was transferred to the Peter Moody stable after a dominant winter carnival in the Sunshine State, produced a slashing performance in his debut appearance at Group 1 level. Incentivise ($3.90) rolled to the lead and evoked memories of the great Vo Rogue as he responded under pressure to stave off Mo’unga, with 2020 Cox Plate champion Sir Dragonet third.

Gorman lands Meadows win

GREYHOUNDS

TANJIL South trainer Kate Gorman engineered a boilover when Mirror Illusion won the TAB Grade 5 Final (525m) at The Meadows on Saturday night. Mirror Illusion ($18.30) pounced straight on speed from box eight and illustrated great tenacity after being challenged by Invictus Rising to win by a length. The daughter of Orson Allen stopped the clock in a good time of 29.87 seconds to claim the $6540 first-prize cheque. This success took Mirror Illusion’s career record to eight wins from 16 starts, four of which have come at The Meadows. Kennelmate Desert Flame finished secondlast, while fellow Gippsland chaser Do Good Davlin ran fifth for Hazelwood North trainer Wendy Neocleous. TRARALGON owner/trainer Steve Nagy enjoyed a winner at Sale on Friday night. Kisber ($5.20) scored a tough victory in the James Yeates Printing Maiden (440m). It was the first career success at start six for the son of Swagger, who had finished third at his previous four starts. NAMBROK trainer Lyn Smith proved the punters pal when odds-on favourite Finniss Flash lived up to expectations at Warragul on Thursday night. Finniss Flash started at $1.30 and withstood a plucky challenge from Morwell chaser Prada Gem to win the Top Run Images Mixed 6/7 (460m) by a 1 ¾ lengths. It was a strong showing for the former South Australian speedster on his Victorian debut, having headed across the border with a record of one win and six placings from 13 starts. Smith was not the only Central Gippslandbased trainer to enjoy success. Moe’s Pasqualino Romagnino was all smiles after Kiwi Billy ($25.40) won the third heat of the Grassroots Eastern Sprint (460m). In a bunched finish where less than half a length separated the top three placegetters, it was Kiwi Billy who hit the line best. The winning time of 26.36 seconds was the slowest of the four heats, with the quickest winner being Parzival (25.95 seconds). YINNAR South trainer Ben Joske’s smart chaser Persian Goddess produced a slashing display in the RSN Central Grade 5 (515m) at Sandown Park on Thursday. A daughter of Aston Dee Bee, Persian Goddess ($9.10) pounced straight to the lead from box three and packed too much punch late for a 1 ½ length win from Nihari Bale. Persian Goddess took her career record to 12 wins from 33 starts.