KEY POINTS:
Peter Moody is expecting an improved performance from well-travelled galloper Currigee at his third run back from a spell in today's Salamander Handicap at Sandown.
An encouraging run will convince the Caulfield trainer to take the 2007 Tasmanian Derby (2200m) winner back there for the group three A$400,000 Hobart Cup (2200m) on February 11 and the A$300,000 Launceston Cup (2400m) on February 27.
The 4-year-old has won four of his 14 starts and hasn't won since the Tasmanian Derby but has campaigned in New Zealand and Queensland.
Currigee ran sixth to Redoute's Dancer in the group one New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie in March, while his best effort in five runs in Brisbane was a third to subsequent Mackinnon Stakes winner Sirmione in the group three Grand Prix Stakes at Eagle Farm on June 2.
The Danewin gelding was spelled after finishing 14th to Empires Choice in the group one Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm a week later and resumed when last to Cocinero over 1300m at Sandown on November 24.
Second-up he was 11th to Sea Battle in the Penny Edition Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on December 8.
"I think he's pretty close to the mark, the run wasn't as bad as it looked," Moody said last night. "He took control of the girl [apprentice Kate Dyson] midrace and got forced out off the track.
"I thought his run was pretty strong and he's out to a more suitable trip.
"The wet is probably some concern for him. He's failed twice on it but at the end of his preparations.
"He needs to start showing form and if he does he'll go back to Tassie, where he won the Derby early this year, for the Cup races early next year."
Moody has engaged senior rider Luke Nolen for today's 0-89 Handicap (1800m) in which Currigee is equal topweight with Home Sweet, both carrying 58kg.
Moody, who is fourth on the Melbourne trainers' premiership table with 24 wins behind Lee Freedman (40), David Hayes (36) and Danny O'Brien (25), accepted with seven horses at the meeting but will have only five runners.
With Apologies will be scratched from the Imposera Handicap (1400m) as she ran at Moonee Valley last night, while Rubiton Raider will be scratched from the Sovereign Red Handicap (1300m) and will instead run over 1200m at Morphettville today.
Moody will rely on Murray Mary, to be ridden by Craig Newitt, in the Imposera, while Nolen will be aboard the out-of-form Spelling in the Sovereign Red Handicap (1300m).
Nolen and Moody will also combine with Tan Tat Jet in the Show A Heart Handicap (1400m) and Impinge in the Savoir Handicap today.
* The Melbourne Racing Club last night announced Caulfield and Sandown Saturday races would receive a prize money boost of A$4000, taking the minimum levels to A$60,000 ($68,700).
The increase, from the current A$56,000 for Saturday races, is applicable to a total of 55 races from February 1 until the end of the season on July 31.
Two of the MRC's group one events - the CF Orr Stakes on February 9 and the Oakleigh Plate on February 23 - have been allocated a A$50,000 prize money boost to a new level of A$400,000.
Three other Caulfield group three races - the Hyderabad RC Stakes on February 9, Easter Cup on March 22 and Victoria Handicap on March 24 - have been increased by A$25,000 each to now carry A$125,000.
"These combined Saturday minimum and feature race increases represent an additional A$395,000 commitment to prizemoney in the 2007-2008 year," MRC chief executive Warren Brown said.
"Our recommendation of these latest increases maintains the club's ongoing commitment to re-allocating surplus revenue directly back into prize money growth."
MRC chairman Peter Young said a successful start to the racing year had paved the way for the prize money review. A further review would be held at the end of the season.
- AAP
