IS this finally going be that moment Puissance de Lune has been striving for – a group 1 victory?
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The $500,000 Turnbull Stakes, 2000m, at Flemington on Saturday appears readymade for the Darren Weir-trained grey to strike.
He hasn’t put a hoof wrong in three runs this campaign, with the seven-year-old finishing third to Dissident in his past two outings - the group 1 Memsie and group 1 Makybe Diva.
There’s no Dissident this time, with Puissance de Lune’s stablemate Trust In A Gust doing what has not been able to do, beating Dissident in the group 1 Sire Riper Clarke a week ago.
Everything looks to have fallen into place.
Puissance de Lune has been racing a little dour this preparation and the distance from a favourable barrier two is exactly what he needs.
He will need to be at his top though against the likes of Happy Trails, Hawkspur, Silent Achiever and the like.
Weir also has a strong hand in e listed $120,000 Headquarters Tavern Stakes, 1200m, with four runners.
Lucky Hussler looks the best of the quartet and is overdue.
Ava’s Delight is also a major contender for the stable
HUNTERS Grace resumes for Ballarat trainer Daniel P Kelly in a benchmark70 handicap, 975m, at Swan Hill on Monday.
The three-year-old has not raced since finishing down the track in the listed Redoute’s Choice Stakes, 1200m, at Caulfield on May 3.
However, before that Hunters Choice landed a $100,000 VOBIS Gold Plate, 1000m, at Bendigo.
GO And Get Rich is an interesting runner for Charlie Quick in a 0-58 handicap, 1300m, at Swan Hill on Monday.
Previously trained by Dan O’Sullivan, this is the six-year-old’s third start Quick and third run after 18 months away from the races.
Go And Get Rich was a close fourth on resuming at Donald and although sure to be fitter will have to cope with an outside draw and top weight of 59.5kg.
SUNDAY’S $100,000 Benalla Cup will determine whether the Patrick Payne-trained Zanbagh progresses on a cups campaign.
Payne told Racing Victoria this week the mare would need to run well to press on to the Caufield Cup.
Zanbagh is 25th in the order of entry for the Caulfield Cup.
JUST four days to go until racing returns to Ballarat after a much longer than expected break to refurbish the inner track.
Can't wait for what will be a big day.
BALLARAT FIRST STARTERS
TIGER TOO (Simon Morrish) – Hold That Tiger 5yo mare – debuts in maiden, 1200m, at Murtoa on Saturday.
TUSCAN PADDY (Darren Weir) - My Patriarch 5yo gelding – debuts maiden, 1300m, at Swan Hill on Monday.
STAR STEALER (Darren Weir) – Time Thief 3yo gelding - debuts maiden, 975m, at Swan Hill on Monday.
BEST FROM BALLARAT
RAINBOW STORM (Darren Weir) – Murtoa Cup, 2050m, on Saturday. Tasmanian Derby runner-up has made it three seconds in a row with his latest run being in the Quambatook Cup, 1600m, at Swan Hill. Looks a special here.
GO AND GET RICH (Charlie Quick) – 0-58 handicap, 1300m, at Swan Hill on Monday. Having third run since having 18 months off the track. Ready to show something. Eachway
KEEP A WATCH ON THERE BALLARAT RUNNERS
MARTINVAST (Archie Alexander) – Murtoa Cup, 2050m, on Saturday. Third-up for the Irish-bred stayer. Remains in Melbourne Cup nominations.
EASTERN PEAK (Terry Kelly) – 0-58 handicap, 1800m, at Gunbower on Saturday. Thereabouts every time and looks ready to breakthrough.