Brent Stanley believes the mare who has him in the box seat to win a new car can add another Moonee Valley success to her tally.
Beach Front raced to victory in a heat of the 55 Second Challenge over 955m at the track earlier this month, posting the fastest time this season in the night racing series.
Should Beach Front’s winning time of 55.08 seconds remain the fastest after the last seven of 16 heats are run, Stanley will win a new Jeep.
There is no car on the line in Saturday’s 1000m Drummond Golf Handicap but Stanley expects Beach Front to again be a major player as the mare chases her fourth win at Moonee Valley in her eighth start there.
Beach Front gave Stanley his first city win as a trainer late last year at the track and has only missed a place once in her seven races there.
To be ridden by Stephen Baster, Beach Front is the only horse in Saturday’s race that won’t have the advantage of an apprentice’s claim, but Stanley believes the mare is already well-weighted on 54kg.
“She has trained on great,” Stanley said.
“Her form around Moonee Valley is exceptional. She always runs a great race so it just tends to suit her.”
Beach Front settled back in the field last start before Damien Oliver angled her to the rail in the straight and she sprinted through to score.
“If she gets the same kind of run I think she’s going to run a length and a half better than last time, just on natural fitness,” Stanley said.
“And I think the 1000 metres is going to suit her better than 955 now.”
Stanley will also start lightly raced three-year-old Tides Of Fortune in the Chandler Macleod Handicap (1200m) and will take great satisfaction if he steps up to the plate in his first city test.
Tides Of Fortune, who won a Wycheproof non-TAB maiden on debut before being placed at Dunkeld and Kyneton, is a son Miss Jugah who Stanley rode in 17 of her 45 races, winning five times including a Melbourne Cup day race in 1997.
“She was one of my all-time favourite horses to ride,” the Caulfield Cup-winning jockey said.
“It’s good to be able to train the progeny of horses that I used to ride and have success with.
“He (Tides Of Fortune) is going up in grade but he warrants being there.”
Stanley says he still regularly sees Miss Jugah at owner David Moodie’s property.
Article from justhorseracing.com.au
