A BUSY FRIDAY FOR US

Day and night runners on Friday with Philadelphia Storm and Proud Mary at Echuca followed by The Commoner, Hawker Hurricane and Keats at Moonee Valley.

Philadelphia Storm is the first to go in race one at Echuca, the 3yo Maiden Plate over 1200m with Zac Spain aboard and Mike Moroney is predicting a bold showing from the son of Choisir.

“It’s a race with a lot of other first starters but I know our horse has got nice ability,” Mike said.

“He’s a horse that doesn’t carry a lot of condition so we’ve had to train around that a bit.

“He’s drawn nicely, he’s professional in what he does and ready to go to the races so unless there is something pretty smart among the other first starters I’m expecting him to be hard to beat.”

Proud Mary runs in race three, the Maiden Plate over 1400m with Jake Noonan riding from barrier five after scratchings.

“This looks a nice starting point for her and she has the advantage of a good draw,” Mike said.

“Whatever she does today she will improve on but she is in really good order and I’m happy with the way she is going. She’s drawn to get the right run and I’m sure she will be competitive.”

At Moonee Valley The Commoner is the first to go in race five, the 955 metre Challenge with Jordan Childs riding and to jump from barrier seven with 11 rivals.

“She’s first-up tonight in a pretty even race with four last start winners but he is pleasing me a lot with his work at home,” Mike said.

“She will go around just over the minimum and my one concern is the draw. Had she drawn closer to the rail I would have been confident but if she runs up to his work then she will be in the finish.”

Hawker Hurricane runs in race six, the Country Cup Final over 1200 metres with Jordan Childs riding from barrier three.

“He’s got his share of weight in a non-claiming race but he’s drawn nicely tonight,” Mike said.

“He’s improved from the first-up run and is fitter for tonight in what looks an even sort of race.

“He’s capable of taking advantage of the draw and depending on what happens with the weather and the predicted rain I think he will run well in a competitive race.”

Keats (pictured) rounds out the day for us in the last race, the benchmark 80 handicap over 1500 metres with Damien Oliver riding.

“He’s drawn nicely in a race that does look to have a bit of speed in it but we’ll leave that up to Ollie,” Mike said.

“I’ve taken the blinkers off as he tended to over-race last start and he’s fitter going into the race and if he did happen to reproduce his best Irish form then he would be right in this so it’s up to him now and he’s an interesting runner for us.”