Racing: El Segundo on his game for Valley

Colin Little says the indicators are good that El Segundo is ready to run a top race in the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes at Moonee Valley today.

Now an 8-year-old, El Segundo won the group two weight-for-age 1600m feature two years ago when he defeated Haradasun in a stirring battle by a nose.

That effort set the Pins gelding up to win the 2007 Cox Plate two races later and Little is hoping that today's effort will do the same. "He's sound and has no issues for a change," Little said of the injury-prone galloper.

Despite being underdone, El Segundo came from last and flashed home late to finish third behind today's rival Mic Mac in the Aurie's Star Hcp (1200m) at Flemington before a fair sixth, again behind Mic Mac, in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, both last month.

"His first run was very good and his second-up run in the Memsie was so-so," Little said. "But sometimes he can be a little disappointing at Caulfield when it rains on the day."

Apart from El Segundo's soundness, the other major reason for Little's confidence is the return to the horse's favourite surface, the StrathAyr (turf) at Moonee Valley where four of his 12 wins have been. "No doubt he's at his best at Moonee Valley," Little said.

The Caulfield trainer was happy that the MVRC allowed horses, other than Singapore star Jolie's Shinju, to gallop at the Valley on Tuesday morning after they were initially told that they weren't allowed to do so.

Little took El Segundo across town for a workout which turned out to be a solid one. "I wanted him to do a bit and the track was no good at Caulfield so it worked out well."

Nick Hall rode El Segundo in his Moonee Valley workout but his Cox Plate winning jockey Luke Nolen will be aboard today.

Whobegotyou is the $2.90 favourite with TAB Sportsbet ahead of El Segundo at $3.40, Mic Mac at $3.90, Jolie's Shinju, who is making her Australian debut, at $7.50 with Sea Battle next best at $15.

- AAP