Class drop to suit Mi Rock Aly

Warrnambool-based trainer Matthew Williams is banking on a drop in grade and a return to Sandown being a winning formula for Mi Rock Aly.

A Sandown winner three starts back, Mi Rock Ali runs in the Sportsbet Photo Finish Refund Handicap (2400m) on Saturday coming off the back of a last start eighth in the Listed Warrnambool Cup (2350m) on May 2.

After starting her career with Paul Preusker, a tendon injury saw the mare transferred to Williams before Mi Rock Ali reinjured the tendon requiring another year-long stint on the sidelines.

Williams said Mi Rock Ali has had ‘her issues’ but was racing well and he had forgiven the mare for her last start at Warrnambool where she wasn’t happy in the ground.

“I’m not sure she was entirely at home on the ground at Warrnambool last time and she probably had to do a little bit too much work from the gate to come across,” Williams said.

“There was a fair amount of pressure going out of the straight and this time she is drawn well, back to benchmark 70 grade and if you look at that Bendigo race, that should see her in the firing line somewhere.”

At Sandown three starts back, Mi Rock Aly defeated Samuel Langhorne over 2400m before that galloper turned the tables at Bendigo on April 13.

Samuel Langhorne was then successful at Flemington before running sixth in the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at Flemington last week.

While Mi Rock Ali has been burdened with 59.5kg, that has been offset by the 3kg claim for in-form apprentice Tatum Bull.

Williams is also backing up Flying Fizz on Saturday in the Sportsbet Bet With Mates Handicap (1400m) after the filly finished third at Flemington last Saturday.

He said the filly has had a good week after peaking late in the race when second-up.

“I thought being second-up, she just got produced a little early,” Williams said.

“There was one that slid up in the three-wide lane and instead of being pocketed, he came out, probably 50 metres earlier than he would have liked, so she might have peaked on her run late.

“The other thing Dean (Yendall) said, she’s been on the soft a couple of times, and he reckons she’s not quite as effective.

“She’s had a good week. Her blood is perfect and is jumping out of her skin.”