SEVERAL well performed Tasmanian horses will have their first interstate run at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Royal Rapture, Merrick’s Beauty and Toothless will all line up for the first time at Moonee Valley and are all well fancied to not just make up the numbers.
After a impressive second up win at Devonport when ridden by stable apprentice Kodie Grace, Royal Rapture, trained by David & Scott Brunton will contest the Benchmark 84 Sportingbet Best Tote Plus Handicap over 1500m.
The 2014 Devonport Cup place getter will be ridden by leading Victorian jockey Brad Rawiller.
“He has been racing extremely well this preparation and this race fits in really well with his program” Co trainer Scott Brunton said.
“He will have this run and head to the paddock with the better Tasmanian races in mind but I’m happy with the way he has been going” he said.
Another making his Victorian debut will be progressive two-year-old gelding Toothless after transferring from Adam Trinder in early April.
After placing in the Gold Sovereign in February behind star galloper Admiral, Toothless moved to the care of Nikki Burke and heads the market for the 1200m event after a two length trial win at Casterton on May 26th.
The son of Old Deuteronomy, nicknamed “Hilux” as a youngster for his unbreakable qualities, is raced by the Deus Bros Racing Syndicate.
The syndicate, who has numerous horses with Trinder, has tasted much success with him since his commencement into training. Trinder trained the Listed Vamos Stakes winner for the syndicate in 2013 when Beautiful Buns upstaged star mare Rebel Bride by a nose.
Longford trainer Alana Fulton will have her first interstate runner on Saturday as she lines up three-year-old speedster Merrick’s Beauty.
A $300 purchase at the Inglis sales by former trainer Michael Guthrie, Fulton took over the training of the horse when Guthrie returned to race riding after a 20 month absence.
Holding an impressive record of three wins from four starts, Merrick’s Beauty won the three-year-old Autumn Handicap on May 11 which prompted the owners to give the filly a Melbourne start.
“The owners always had Melbourne in mind for her as we thought she had the ability to go there, but she had to run a good race to warrant an interstate trip” Fulton said.
Merrick’s Beauty will be well represented on Saturday with a large Tasmanian contingency of owners flying over to support the speedy Longford filly.
Merrick’s Beauty arrived at Aquanita midweek and will be partnered by Anthony Darmanin over the 1200m event.
“She arrived on the boat during the week and is over for the one run” According to Fulton.
“Depending on how she performs, she may continue or go for a spell, but either way she has done really well in her first preparation”.