CLASSIC SATURDAY FOR US

Yatton is one of four runners for the stable today when she runs in the Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm.

Ben Thompson is aboard and will jump from barrier 10 over the 2200m.

Yatton (pictured) finished unplaced in the Group 2 Roses at Doomben last start however, Mike Moroney suggests the daughter of Savabeel will be running better today.

“Her work has been terrific and she’s peaking for this,” Moroney said.

“The fact that she will strike a firmer track today plus the bigger Eagle Farm track fills me with some confidence. I’ve taken the blinkers off with the step up in trip.

“I know she has the ability to figure in a race like this and if the firmer surface and the roomier track play a part then I will not be surprised to see her run a big race at odds.”

Closer to home at Flemington we have Harlech, Michigan and Nerve Not Verve all running.

Harlech is in race five, the Quality Handicap over 1400m with Daniel Stackhouse in the saddle and drawn barrier eight.

“It’s a handy race as you would expect for this class but he’s well up to them,” Moroney said.

“He’s trained on nicely since Warrnambool - the barrier is the tricky part and the smaller field might not be an issue given there does appear to be plenty of early speed in the race.

“Whatever he does today he will improve on and if he gets some luck from the draw then I’m expecting him to run well.”

Michigan is bidding for a hat trick of wins in race six, the Quality 3YO Handicap over 1400m with Damian Lane riding and to jump from barrier nine in the 10-horse field following scratchings.

“I couldn’t be happier with him and he’s training well,” Moroney said. “The barrier is a concern as a wide draw is not ideal from this start.

“He’s a clean winded horse, his weight is good and his blood his good, he just needs luck from the draw but I do think he’s good enough to overcome it.”

Nerve Not Verve runs in the last race, the benchmark 84 handicap over 2000m with Fred Kersley to ride but she too has drawn horribly in barrier 13.

“She’s made the field after scratchings which is good,” Moroney said. “Although it’s a strong field today is the first time this preparation where she has a few things in her favour with the track and she’s certainly fitter.

“My one concern is the barrier but she’s well and a matter of getting some luck from the draw but I’m expecting her to run well.”