Fernie Stablemates Clash In Hannans Preview
Goldfield stablemates Moschard and Little Fish can take important steps towards the Hannans Handicap (1400m) when they lock horns at Belmont on Saturday.
In what could be a mini preview of Kalgoorlie’s feature sprint in October, Moschard and Little Fish line-up in the Prive Fashion Platform Handicap (1200m).
Moschard has been experiencing a terrific run of form that stretches across two campaigns and has not finished outside the first two since last September.
Moschard lost no admirers in defeat at Belmont two weeks ago and as the $3.80 Tabtouch market leader, he is the popular pick with punters to go one better.
The Moshe gelding stormed home from next to last and looked the winner 200m out, but just peaked on his run when a short-neck second to Free Trade.
Luke Fernie, son of trainer Peter, said it’s difficult to discount Moschard’s sustained run of good form.
“He is flying at the moment,” Fernie told Tabradio.
“He’s had ten starts, has won six of them and run four seconds.
“It’s pretty hard to knock form like that and Free Trade is a pretty smart horse.
“I think tomorrow (Saturday) might be a hard run race with more genuine tempo.
“He should be able to sit off them and Mitchell (Pateman) can time his run perfect.”
Moschard lumps the 60.5kg top weight and starts from barrier one. Comeback jockey Mitchell Pateman takes the mount.
By contrast, Little Fish has drawn barrier eight in the field of 10 starters.
To be ridden by Lucy Warwick, the Patronize gelding races first-up with no trial.
He last raced in May when fourth to Settlers Creek and holds imposing fresh and distance record.
But Fernie said Little Fish needed luck from an awkward draw.
“Little Fish has got a bad gate, he never seems to draw one,” Fernie said.
“He always does it the hard way.
“If he could jump to the front and get it easy enough he will be right there in the finish.”
Little Fish, a winner in six of 11 races including five over 1200m, is quoted a $4.60 prospect.
Fernie also said that Inject The Venom showed improvement last time out and will be hitting the line strongly in the John Martino 90th Birthday Handicap (2000m).
Julio Santarelli