Stablemates Conquering Journey and Ben Zena are shaping as leading contenders for the Swettenham Stud Summer Championship.
Both Peter Moody-trained geldings will run at Caulfield on Saturday with Conquering Journey contesting the seventh heat of the series over 1600 metres and Ben Zena the eighth heat over 1400 metres.
Both horses are having their third runs this campaign and are favourite for their respective races with TAB Sportsbet.
Conquering Journey has been solid at $2.60 since betting opened on Wednesday while Ben Zena is the clear top pick at $4.40.
Apprentice Daniel Stackhouse will use his two-kilo claim on both city winners who will carry 55kg.
Moody’s racing manager Jeff O’Connor said Conquering Journey was a promising middle distance galloper and was coming to hand well this campaign after a last-start second to By the Way over 1420 metres at Flemington.
“He is ready for the mile and ready to fire,” O’Connor said.
He said that Conquering Journey’s campaign was being geared towards longer races after he showed a lot of promise last campaign when twice second to Module over 1800 metres and 2000 metres at Flemington.
“That (Module) form was the best before the spring so we want to get him out to 2000 metres again a bit later this preparation,” O’Connor said.
Three of Conquering Journey’s four wins in 16 starts have been in the city at Sandown (twice) and Moonee Valley.
Ben Zena also has strong form having raced 10 times for three wins, two of them at Sandown and Moonee Valley.
He could have easily added to that tally two starts ago at Moonee Valley when he was beaten in a photo-finish.
His last-start second to Giresun has set him up as the horse to beat on Saturday.
The Summer Championship Final is over 1600 metres at Sandown on January 28.
AAP TURF
