FRIDAY NIGHT RUNNERS AT CRANBOURNE

Two runners for us under lights tonight with Spirit Legend and Nerve Not Verve heading to Cranbourne.

Spirit Legend is in the first race, the Maiden Plate over 2060m and set to jump from barrier 10 under Michael Dee.

It is the first start his preparation for the son of Tavistock and Mike Moroney admits it is a stiff task first-up at the distance but has an explanation.

“It’s possibly a little unorthodox but he’s had plenty of practice with trackwork and jumpouts and he looks ready,” Moroney said.

“He’s a staying type and running him over shorter won’t really tell us that much so we’ll give him a chance to show us what he’s got.

“He’s showing us that he’s just a pure stayer and that’s how he is bred so we’d like to see enough tonight to suggest he has a future.”

Nerve Not Verve is in race five, the Benchmark 64 Handicap over 2060m with Jordan Childs aboard and drawn the outside barrier seven after scratchings.

“The track is now heavy and we’ve drawn the outside,” Moroney said. “She has won on a New Zealand soft track which often relates to heavy in Australia.

“The scratching have helped and it looks like Olympic of Chris Waller’s is the one to beat.

“Our mare had atrial fibrillation at her last start and I’ve had horses come out and win their next start after suffering from that previously.

“The wide draw might not be an issue as there looks to be a bit of speed in the race but a lot will depend on how the track is racing but I do think she’s a winning chance if things go her way.”