Sandown
Race 6 – Moscow Red
Jockey – Will Price
1800m – Barrier 9
Ten-year-old mare Moscow Red rises back to benchmark-70 grade today following a sound performance down in class at Warrnambool last start. She was slowly away there, only getting going from the back when the leader had bolted to run a solid third placing. Jockey Will Price has an excellent relationship with this galloper (21:5-3-3) and returns to the saddle today, keen to be more positive from an outside draw in the early parts.
Irish Rockstar has drawn just inside the Dwyer runner and will look for the front from the outset. Frigid led and won last start and may try something similar from a good draw here, while Plucky Pirouette won’t be far away when runners find their positions. Competitive race with chances right down the board. From the top, Marchons Ensemble will be fitter third-up and gets out to a more suitable distance. He didn’t have the clearest path home last start and just missed on the line. Any improvement from that run has him as one of the main chances here. Sir Rockford won at this track/trip three starts back and looks suited back in this grade. Query on good ground. Frigid is the form horse in this, winning two of her past three (ignore the DQ) and is tactically versatile. She showed good fight to hold off Time Quest at this track and trip last start, but cops a hefty weight penalty as reward. She’s the one they have to beat. Jabbawockeez was sound behind Presser last start, but is another who is a query on top of the ground. Irish Rockstar is a winning hope if left alone out in front, while Fearentless comes back from a sound performance in Saturday metropolitan grade.
Moscow Red has the opportunity to settle outside or just behind the speed in a race that lacks genuine early speed. She’s fit and enjoys racing at this track, and while she’s nearing the end of a stellar career, gives every indication there’s still a strong performance in her. Worth an each way ticket at a big price.
Currently, Moscow Red is a $51 chance in the market.