Moody and Coleman pair meet in the Kewney Stakes
With two nice fillies looking for a trip, Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman have been forced into pitting Mollynickers and Autumn Angel against one another at Flemington.
The pair run in the Group 2 Kewney Stakes (1600m) on Saturday having started their autumn campaigns in different races last month.
Mollynickers ran a first-up third behind Grinzinger Belle in The Vanity (1400m) at Flemington on February 17 while Autumn Angel was an unlucky sixth in the Angus Armanasco Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield the following week.
Autumn Angel was unable to get clear running at any stage in her first-up outing and Moody said he had been trying to play catch up in his bid to have the filly fit enough to tackle Saturday’s race.
For that reason, Moody suggests Mollynickers is the fitter of the pair, which is also reflected in the market with that filly the $3.80 favourite while Autumn Angel is a $5 chance.
Separating the pair is Grinzinger Belle at $4.60 with online bookmakers, which surprised Moody, who thought that filly would be top elect after her dominant first-up victory at Flemington.
The two Moody and Coleman runners have drawn next to each other – Autumn Angel in five and Mollynickers in gate six – and Moody said luck in running is likely to play a vital role.
“Mollynickers is possibly a tad more forward than the other filly as she had more of a solid hit-out, whereas Autumn Angel is a grosser filly and didn’t get a good gallop at all first-up,” Moody said.
“But there’s very little between them ability wise and luck in running is probably going to be a key part again on Saturday.
“With Autumn Angel, the less said about that first-up run the better.
“We’ve had to keep the work up to her which is why she goes in slightly down on fitness than where I ideally wanted her, but she’s still forward enough if she’s good enough.”
Moody said he would be guided by how the fillies perform on Saturday as to where they are headed, with potential trips to Sydney and Adelaide on the cards.
More Racing News
Harry Charlton optimistic about Wine Dark Sea's Caulfield Cup chances
Upon his arrival in Australia, UK trainer Harry Charlton immediately made his way to Werribee to assess his Caulfield Cup contender, Wine Dark Sea.This marks Charlton's first venture training a horse in Australia, although he has drawn on the expertise of his brother Tom, a co-trainer with John O'Shea in...
Concord Connie set for Caulfield challenge
Following a string of three successive wins during her late autumn campaign, trainer Charlotte Littlefield admitted to experiencing significant pressure as Concord Connie made her spring racing return at Mornington.The mare, who was heavily backed at $1.30, was narrowly beaten over 1200m on September 26.Despite the close call, Littlefield maintained...
Russian Rock ready for Caulfield challenge
Michael Trotter, the trainer from Cranbourne, was abroad when he received a telephone call from acclaimed jockey Craig Williams.This call came not long after Trotter's three-year-old colt, Russian Rock, had competed in the Stutt Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield on September 27.Following Adam McCabe's suspension for causing interference during that particular...
Bedggood's Caulfield Cup debut with Kingswood
Trainer Gavin Bedggood is on the cusp of a significant career moment with his first runner in a 'major' race at Caulfield.While he boasts Group 1 victories and placings to his name, Kingswood's upcoming run in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) this Saturday will be his first in this elite tier.The...
Apocalyptic's form under scrutiny as Berry aims for Silver Eagle success
Jockey Tommy Berry concedes that Apocalyptic has not yet fulfilled her early potential, but he remains steadfast in his belief in the Group 1 victor.During her spring three-year-old campaign, she was almost invincible, clinching the Furious Stakes, Tea Rose Stakes, and Flight Stakes before a narrow defeat to Ole Dancer...
Schofield's partnership with Tempted and Ceolwulf set for Everest day
Chad Schofield might attribute his initial opportunities aboard star gallopers Tempted and Ceolwulf to luck and timing, but it is his skill and execution that have kept him in the saddle.Schofield has forged an impressive association with both horses, which will continue on the most significant day of the Sydney...
Organised Crime aims to conquer Blue Sapphire
Cranbourne-based trainer Lloyd Kennewell is anticipating a highly competitive Group 1 sprint for three-year-olds at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week, labelling it the race of the spring.Kennewell is preparing two strong colts, Organised Crime and Mbube, for the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) set to take place on October 31.The former,...
Beadman benefits from return to Randwick
A homecoming to Randwick is expected to suit Beadman much better, after the promising sprinter fell victim to the Caulfield curse during a quick trip to Melbourne.The tricky Caulfield track has tripped up many a Sydney-trained galloper, and the four-year-old was one of them, getting too far back from a...
Caulfield Cup presents weighty challenge for Half Yours
Tony and Calvin McEvoy, the father-and-son training duo, are fully cognizant of the significant task that lies before them as Half Yours aims for a consecutive Caulfield Cup triumph.Having previously won the Cup with one of the lowest weights, Half Yours will now carry the burden of topweight in the...
St Leger Stakes runners still in Melbourne Cup calculations
Klondike, a former European import, has not followed a conventional Australian preparation for a staying event, but his trainers maintain confidence in his fitness and stamina.The gelding will contest Saturday's St Leger Stakes (2600m) in only his second start in 16 months, having been sidelined by a tendon injury subsequent...