Melbourne’s leading trainer Peter Moody returned from a couple of weeks in the wilderness – both personally and professionally – when Grand Slam Eagle scored at Flemington on Saturday.
Moody has missed the past couple of city meetings while on an aerial safari of northern Australia.
But he didn’t miss much.
The premier trainer didn’t have city winner while he was away and hadn’t led one in since June 29 when Dayita won at Moonee Valley.
“We’ve had a lean trot in town lately so it’s good to get one on the board,” Moody said.
Grand Slam Eagle ($4.80) responded well to a more positive ride from Linda Meech to win the Polo Prince Handicap (1700m) by a half length from Tooleybuc Kid ($6) with Vintage Lad ($15) 1-1/2 lengths further back in third.
Moody said he’d sent Luke Nolen out with the wrong plan when Grand Slam Eagle finished third at Caulfield at its previous start.
But Meech improved on the reigning champion jockey to help the gelding to its second win.
“We went back from a wide gate at Caulfield and his run was phenomenal,” Moody said.
“Today Linda was a lot more positive on him and reminded him he was in a race.”
Moody’s return to the city-winning list corresponded with that of jockey Mark Zahra who hadn’t won in town since last spring before landing Late Charge in the Inglis Bonus Plate (1400m).
Zahra had been Melbourne stable rider for Sheikh Mohammed’s Darley operation until being indirectly implicated in a much-publicised controversy.
He has subsequently been cleared of any wrong doing but he still missed several months of riding during which time he had operations on both his hips, returning to the saddle last month.
