Melbourne’s leading trainer Peter Moody is no doubt taking great satisfaction in knowing his Melbourne operation is in good hands during his frequent out-of-town trips following a treble in the first three races at Caulfield on Saturday.
A week ago it was the same with three winners from his runners at Caulfield and zero in Sydney.
Cosmic Causeway winning the Jack Elliott Handicap at Caulfield - photo by Race Horse Photos Australia
Moody opened his Caulfield account with Cosmic Causeway in the Jack Elliott Handicap (1700m) thanks largely to a clever ride by Daniel Stackhouse.
Starting favourite, Cosmic Causeway ($3.50) always travelled well outside the leader and had too much speed when it mattered for runner-up Goldoni ($3.70) to score by three-quarters-of-a-length.
Gold Sand ($4.20) plodded into third place a further 1-1/2 lengths away.
Stable foreman James Horton, who last week did foreman’s duty for Moody for the first time in town, said the win had come despite doubts about the Cosmic Causeway’s stamina.
“He’s been good at 1400 and placed at 1600 but there was still a question mark before the race,” Horton said.
“But his jockey helped him every step of the way and he got there.”
Moody added Weinholt to the winners’ list in the Geoff Murphy Handicap (1200m), again with Stackhouse in the saddle.
Coming off a slightly disappointing effort when he led and was overwhelmed at Group Two level in the Sires’ Produce Stakes at Flemington last start, Weinholt may have been assisted by missing the start slightly on Saturday.
“I think it turned out to be good for him to be behind a few,” Stackhouse said.
Also favourite, Weinholt ($3.40) scored by a short half-head from Churchill Dancer ($21) with three-quarters-of-a-length to Hard Stride ($4.20) who took third on protest.
Win No.3 came from Plucky Belle in the Bill Collins Handicap (1200m), this time with Linda Meech in the saddle.,
Moody, meanwhile, drew a blank with his two runners in the first three races at Rosehill.
