Earth Angel (Image: Racing Photos)
Trainer David Hayes reported one of his better fillies, Earth Angel, is progressing well for the autumn after a minor setback saw her miss the Spring Carnival.
The daughter of Miss Finland had two starts in her two-year-old season - emulating Mum with a debut Ballarat win, before going to Sydney and finishing fourth in the Listed Fernhill Handicap during The Championships.
As Hayes reported, they bypassed the spring with Earth Angel but it might be to her betterment come the autumn.
"She's spent the whole spring at Arrowfield," Hayes said on Friday.
"She got up to the trialling stage in the spring, and she kicked the wall and went very sore behind, so she had most of the spring in the paddock.
"She's been back with me a month, moving beautifully, I think the setback's been a bonus because she's always been a leggy filly, and she's got a bit stronger.
"She'll be building up and be set for the big autumn 3YO races, she looks great."
WATCH: Earth Angel's win on debut
Hayes has already tasted Group 1 success with Miss Finland progeny thanks to Stay With Me in the Thousand Guineas and, naturally, he offered a comparison between the half-sisters, as Earth Angel heads towards the ATC Oaks (2400m) at Randwick.
"We haven't pushed the button yet, but she's carrying herself brilliantly. She looks fantastic," Hayes added.
"I think she will hopefully be as good as Stay With Me, or better. I think she'll stay better than Stay With Me."
On Saturday, Hayes declared his best hopes at Moonee Valley as Muraahib ($2.30 with CrownBet) and Miles Of Krishan ($6.50).
Hayes thinks the ultimate gear change will bring out the best in Muraahib, who has twice been placed at Group 3 level (including behind Merchant Navy and Booker), as he runs in the Ladbrokes VOBIS Gold Carat (1200m).
"We gelded him after a couple of below-par performances in the spring," said Hayes, of the horse who won his first two starts but has since gone six starts without a victory.
"But fresh, he sprinted really well. Arguably could have won the McNeil first-up last time around, and he was beaten by a good horse [Merchant Navy] that day.
"We think, as a gelding, he should run really well."
Hayes also revealed he will have a trio of horses running for him at the 2018 Dubai World Cup Carnival, with Faatinah, Shaf and Mutamayel all set to travel to the UAE between Christmas and New Year.