John Moloney believes the expanses of Flemington will suit smart filly City Of Song who could earn a trip to the Queensland winter carnival if she performs up to expectations on Saturday.
The Bel Esprit three-year-old jumped from barrier 12 when runner-up to Tykook over 1200m at Moonee Valley at her third run in on March 31.
She failed narrowly to pick up Tykook, going down by a short half-head, and faces a rematch with the Written Tycoon filly in Saturday’s Melbourne Citymission Hcp (1400m) at her first trip to Flemington.
“She had to go back from the wide draw and it will be a similar scenario on Saturday but the bigger track at Flemington will be in her favour,” Moloney said.
City Of Song steps up to 1400 metres for the second time in her career having run last at her only try at the trip to outstanding filly Atlantic Jewel on her home track at Caulfield in September last year.
“The way she races suggests the 1400 metres won’t be a problem. I’d disregard her effort in the spring as she didn’t come up and I turned her out after that run.
“I think she will run 1600 metres.
“She’s back in form this preparation and if she runs up to expectations on Saturday there’s a chance she could go to Brisbane.
“I’ll discuss that with her owner (Colin Beggs).”
Beggs bred City Of Song who won two metropolitan races including the Listed Blue Sapphire Classic (1200m) at Caulfield in her first campaign and was placed at her other two outings including an unlucky third to the classy Mosheen and Sharnee Rose over 1000m at Caulfield.
Her dam, the stakeswinning Songs Of Vienna, has had three foals to race for three winners, two of them in the Melbourne metropolitan area.
Beggs has an unraced Magnus two-year-old colt, Master’s Voice, out of the mare as well as a a weanling filly by Fastnet Rock.
“The Magnus two-year-old has shown ability and he will trial at Cranbourne on Monday,” Moloney said.
City Of Song, who drew barrier 11 in the 17-horse field and will be ridden by stable apprentice Jarrod Fry, will again meet Sharnee Rose who drew wide in gate 16.
Sharnee Rose, to be handled by apprentice Damian Lane, is one of the best maidens in Australia having been placed in six of her seven starts.
The Nadeem filly was placed behind Atlantic Jewel three times last spring including when third to her – with Mosheen the runner-up – in the Group One Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield.
Sharnee Rose was beaten a nose when she was a first-up runner-up to Instalment in the Listed MSS Security Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on March 10.
She missed a place for the first time when fourth as favourite to Sir Fernando over 1200m at Moonee Valley on March 23.
