Vianden winning the Burrumbeet Cup (Image: Racing Photos)
Luke Sheehan takes a look at a big long weekend of racing
FRIDAY
Shorties at Moonee Valley
Sam's Image (R2, $2.15), Belwazi (R3, $2.65), Brave Smash (R4, $1.85) and Burning Front ($2.30)/Widgee Turf ($2.60) in race five - I dare say there might be some multis weaving their way through the Valley card. Sam's Image is the only horse to have beaten Nature Strip, while Brave Smash is fresh-up off a brave third in The Everest.
Stacey Rawiller comeback complete at Hanging Rock
One ride for her father Keith - her first for him, in fact - and one for a multiple Melbourne Cup-winning trainer, Robert Hickmott. Not a bad way to re-start your riding career. Good luck, Stacey.
Vianden vying for another Cup
The Hanging Rock Cup field has assembled, with Austy Coffey steering his gun Cups horse Vianden towards the 1800m feature on Friday. Last-start Echuca winner Shaq is up against him as is St Arnaud Cup winner Manhattan Menage.
SATURDAY
Blue Diamond series kicks off
Winners Run Naan, Long Leaf, Ollivander and Native Soldier are out to further their claims for the $1.5million feature in late February, in the boys' preview at Caulfield. Robbie Griffiths' debutant Robe De Fete looms as a smoky in the colts and geldings preview after some impressive jump-out performances. In the fillies' edition, Oohood - second to Long Leaf on debut - is looking to strut her stuff for the Tony McEvoy team, as are winners Crossing The Abbey and Lady Horseowner, with seven debutants up against them.
More money for Dollar For Dollar?
Jamie Kah is 5/5 on this guy, and she is back on after he was unable to run down Burning Front at Flemington with Jye McNeil in the saddle. It might just be a key switch given Kah knows this horse backwards.
Yea Cup field assembled
While there is no sign of Shoreham and his 81.5kg - trainer Saab Hasan nominated the recent city winner but did not accept - it is a decent enough 10-horse field anyway for the $5000 feature at the picnics. Last-start Healesville winner Sommernachtstraum is trying to continue his form, while Kelvin Southey's My Running Mate has been a constant in the winner's stall at the picnics for leading hoop Courtney Pace, and he's trying to bounce back from a last-start defeat at Balnarring.
SUNDAY
Survived to Great Western
Three-time Mt Gambier Cup winner Survived is trying to claim the Great Western Cup on Sunday. Vianden is also accepted for Great Western, and it could be an old-fashioned 48-hour back-up for him from Hanging Rock if Austy Coffey decides to do that. The carrot of doing so is the $20,000 VOBIS Gold owners' bonus on offer for only Vianden and Aurora Miss at Great Western. There's no sign of Godolphin this year, the international powerhouse taking home the country cup thanks to the win of Nozomi for jockey Liam Riordan and Freedman Racing.