Free newsletter sign up

Get our latest horse racing news, reviews, exclusives and more direct to your email inbox.
Sign up here

PP Blog

Read our Horse Racing Blog, keeping you up to date with all the latest horse race betting info & horse racing systems.

PP TV

Watch the TVN coverage of today's horse racing and view video replays through BigPond.

PP Radio

Listen to the day's racing through Sky Racing Radio. Plus racing news, previews and horse racing tips.

Moody keeping all covered with Hanks

Thursday 11 March 2010
By Mark Ryan

Peter Moody has left the door slightly ajar by not scratching Hanks from Saturday's Australian Guineas at Flemington while he makes sure travel arrangements are satisfactory for the gelding to run in the Randwick Guineas.

Moody said Hanks was scheduled to be floated to Sydney on Thursday night.

"Once he arrives in Sydney safely we'll withdraw him more than likely from the Australian Guineas tomorrow (Friday) morning," the Caulfield trainer said.

"We've gone down that road of planning to travel horses before and we haven't quite got there.

"All good intentions are for the horse to run in Sydney but until he gets away safely this evening we'll just reserve that decision as things can go wrong at times."

Hanks, a huge Encosta De Lago three-year-old, has had six starts for three wins including a victory in the Group Two AAMI Vase (2040m) at Moonee Valley last October.

He ran home well late when resuming for fourth to Denman in the Group Two D'Urban Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 20.

Moody said it was his intention to have Hanks in Sydney for the Randwick Guineas with a view to giving him experience ahead of the AJC Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on April 10 which is his main goal this autumn.

"He's not the sharpest tool in the shed and we wanted to get up there and have a bit of practice (the clockwise way)," he said.

Moody said Hanks would also contest the Rosehill Guineas (2000m) on March 27 on his way to the Derby.

He said it was a little hard to line up the Sydney three-year-old form against Melbourne but he expected Hanks to acquit himself well in the 1600m Randwick Guineas.

"He's a good quality horse. He's going to be suited beyond a mile but I would hope that he could finish on strongly at the end of it and if he finishes on like he did behind Denman at 1400 metres the other day I wouldn't put it out of the question (that he could win)," he said.

"But I am thinking that he will need the experience of that way of going and I'm looking forward to the Rosehill Guineas for him to really hit his straps."

Moody will be represented by smart filly Set For Fame in the Australian Guineas.

Hanks and Western Australian colt Sir Hallowell are on the second line of betting at $9 with TAB Sportsbet for the Randwick Guineas behind $3.40 favourite Shoot Out.