A BUSY NEW YEARS DAY FOR US

A busy New Years Day for us with Rocking Eagle and Pedro Ximenez our runners at Flemington while Fight Back, Buffalo Bill and Seminoles head to Mornington.

Rocking Eagle (pictured) runs in race two, the Benchmark 78 Handicap over 1200m with Michael Poy riding from barrier one.

The son of Zoustar scored a big win last time out at Moonee Valley and has pleased Mike Moroney since.

“He is holding his condition well and has worked well since his excellent win last start,” Moroney said.

“To us on paper it looks a similar level of opposition - the one question mark is that it is his first time racing on the straight course.

“If he can cope with that then I think he is definitely a winning chance.”

Pedro Ximenez is resuming after an injury enforced layoff in race eight, the Benchmark 70 Handicap over 1600m with Fred Kersley to ride from barrier five in the big field.

“We’re happy with him and how he is progressing,” Moroney said.

This is going to be too short for him but it’s a good place to get him started off. He’s drawn nicely so I will be happy to see him finishing the race off as we get started on a new preparation.”

Fight Back is our first runner at Mornington in race two, the 3YO Maiden over 1500m with Dylan Dunn to ride from barrier four.

It is the second start for the son of Glass Harmonium who ran respectably on debut to finish fifth over 1300m at Geelong.

“I was happy with his first run, especially as it was probably too short for him,” Moroney said.

“He’s trained on well and he will be better off here over a bit further. The draw helps and with the benefit of experience I’m expecting him to run well.”

Buffalo Bill and Seminoles run in race five, the Benchmark 58 Handicap over 2000m with Daniel Stackhouse aboard Buffalo Bill and Jake Noonan riding Seminoles.

Buffalo Bill was also an acceptor at Stawell on Friday however, Moroney has elected to run at Mornington.

“He drew wide at Stawell and he’s also wide here but it’s a smaller field,” Moroney explained.

“He’s pleased us on the track and from the barrier we will likely go back and look for him to finish off in what does not look the strongest of races.”

Seminoles finished runner-up last time out over 2069m at Moe.

“He was well beaten last start but he made up plenty of ground in the home straight,” Moroney said.

“This is his fourth start this time in so he’s fit enough and it does not look the strongest of races so I’m expecting him to run well again.”