Cliff Brown pair to clash at The Valley

Trainer Cliff Brown is rolling the dice with both Honor Galore and Lady Di Di stepping out in the same race at Moonee Valley on Saturday, an option that wasn’t the initial plan for either mare.

Both runners were originally headed elsewhere—Honor Galore to the Group 3 John Hawkes Stakes (1100m) in Adelaide, and Lady Di Di to Flemington’s Auckland Thoroughbred Racing Inc Trophy (1400m). However, due to logistics and weather concerns, they now meet in the Western General Bodyworks Handicap (1200m).

Lady Di Di’s wide draw of barrier 13 at Flemington prompted her scratching, with Brown preferring the tighter alley (barrier four) at The Valley, despite the shorter trip.

“I think the seven (1400m) would have been OK for her, but the tempo has been against her at her last few,” Brown said. “I think she’s going OK, but she hates wet tracks and there is a mountain of rain forecast.”

Honor Galore has stayed at 1000m this campaign but now steps up in trip. She won first-up at Cranbourne and finished midfield last start. Her past 1200m runs have been strong, including placings at Sandown and Caulfield Heath.

“I had a good look at Adelaide, and it was probably too strong,” Brown said. “Getting back up to 1200 metres, I don’t think that will worry her now.”

Brown now finds himself hoping Melbourne’s forecast rain holds off, with both mares needing reasonable conditions to be at their best.