KEY POINTS:
Leon Corstens saddled up four winners of the Aurie's Star Handicap during his many years as Melbourne stable foreman for Hall Of Fame trainer Bart Cummings and today he can land the race in his own right with the in-form Monet Rules.
Monet Rules is chasing a hat-trick in the listed A$150,000 ($172,000) feature sprint (1200m) after a two-length win over Mr Jenkins over 1300m at Sandown on May 30 and a four-length success from Lucky Diva over 1200m at Moonee Valley on June 23.
Corstens said he freshened the Commands 5-year-old with the Aurie's Star in mind. "I thought he deserved his chance. I'm hoping we will measure up to the class."
Corstens said his impressive last-start victory at the Valley encouraged him to look at better races.
"It was a very good performance. I was a little apprehensive as he drew out wide but he got the lucky breaks and away he went," he said.
Monet Rules, the winner of six races from 14 starts, has drawn barrier 11 but will jump from nine in the 10-horse field if the four emergencies all come out.
During his time with the Cummings stable, Corstens was associated with Aurie's Star winners Royal Regatta (1983), Taj Quillo (1986 and 1988) and Prince Of Kingston (1990).
Meanwhile, the Brian Mayfield-Smith-trained Orange County will also be trying for his first stakes success and is favourite at $2.70 to do so with TAB Sportsbet ahead of El Segundo ($3.80), who is resuming after a scare with a bruised hoof this week.
Orange County is very effective at the Valley where he has won two races and finished second once from three starts.
The grey has reportedly worked well for race jockey Michael Rodd in preparation for the Aurie's Star.
The Volksraad 5-year-old impressed firstup last preparation when he scored by three lengths from Volitant over 1200m at the Valley before beating 2006 Aurie winner Bel Danoro over 1200m at Sandown.
He hasn't raced since an 11th to Let Go Thommo in the group one The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on May 6.
Meanwhile, Lee Freedman is expecting an improvement from Miss Mooney Mooney, who finished a four-length seventh to Lucky Secret in the Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield when resuming on July 21.
"I think she'll run well. Her form at the Valley is very good," Freedman said, referring to her only appearance on the track when second to Virage De Fortune in the 2005 group two Moir Stakes (1000m).
- AAP
