The phenomenal start to the 2014/15 season for Peter Moody is set to continue at Mornington today.
Moody has the four-year-old entire Il Cavallo engaged in the Bayside Jeep Handicap over 1000m, a Benchmark 84 race.
Since the season commenced on August 1, Moody has prepared 40 winners Australia wide from 165 runners – a remarkable strike-rate of 24% with a further 38 placegetters at 23%.
And it is with his four-year-olds that he’s having the most success, having prepared 20 winners from 72 runners at a strike-rate of 28% so far this season.
Il Cavallo provided Moody with a first-up victory on the Sandown Hillside circuit on September 3 after tracking the speed before going on to record a one-and-a-quarter length victory.
It was a pleasing return from the Choisir entire, returning a weight adjusted Timeform figure of 100, not too far short of his peak Timeform rating of 106.
With Luke Nolen riding at the Kalgoorlie meeting in Western Australia, Chad Schofield picks-up the ride and the Moody-Schofield combination has a very good strike-rate.
Schofield has ridden for Moody on 48 occasions, picking up 11 victories at 23% and a further 12 placings at 25%.
From barrier one, Schofield should be able to give Il Cavallo a good run in transit and produce him at the right time up the tough Mornington straight.
The Michael Kent-trained Consorting returns to racing after a break of 137 days and he will be tough to hold out at the business end.
While it has been more than a year since last tasting success, Consorting was last campaign contesting tougher races than the Benchmark 84 race he lines-up in today.
During the autumn carnival, Consorting was beaten four lengths by Not Listenin’tome in the Group 3 Zediatve Stakes, a race of far greater depth than what he meets today.
Drawing off the track won’t be a concern for jockey Craig Newitt who will allow the Legion four-year-old to balance up early before bringing him home with a strong finish.
Hard Romp, prepared by Ciaron Maher, returned to form by leading throughout at Sale 17 days ago over 1013 in a Benchmark 78 race.
The five-year-old Hard Spun gelding has been a model of consistency in five runs this campaign, notching two victories and three second placings.
The 3kg claim for Kayla Nisbet brings him in with a winnable weight of 55kg and although drawing off the track he will roll forward and be hard to run down in the straight.
Good luck and good punting.
