Racing: Molly on song for MooneeValley

A seemingly disappointing third placing in the Victoria Oaks hasn't dampened Brent Mangos' confidence in Molly Darling leading into tonight's Australian Oaks at Moonee Valley.

Mangos, who trains and drives the three-time group one winner, says there were many reasons why Molly Darling didn't race up to her best New Zealand form.

"To be honest, she was probably just a little bit in need of the run," he said.

"The track was pretty heavy, and really, that wasn't the main race we are over here for."

Molly Darling led in the Victoria Oaks before taking a mid-race trail behind the free-running Norwood Abbey.

Ordinarily this would have been an ideal tactic but, unbeknownst to Mangos, Norwood Abbey had galloped at the start and her driver, Daryl Douglas, therefore eased the pace when he got to the lead.

When this happened, Molly Darling's competitive instinct took over and she began to over-race.

"Down the back she was half-pie choking actually," said Mangos.

"She did the same thing in the Fillies Championship last year and still came out and won the Caduceus Club Classic at her next start. I think she would have won if she hadn't pulled so hard, and she seems a lot more settled this week."

Last Saturday, Molly Darling had a final tune-up for the Australian Oaks by disposing of a low-grade field at Cranbourne.

While the quality of that field was drastically different to the one facing Molly Darling tonight, Mangos was impressed by the way she felt in coasting home by more than six lengths.

Molly Darling had already proven herself to be at least the equal of any of her New Zealand peers and tonight's field will certainly be the best congregation of 3-year-old fillies in Australia this season.

The emergence of West Australian filly Innocent Eyes, winner of the Victoria Oaks, and the presence of the unbeaten White Thunder make it uncertain who will start favourite. Those two horses, along with Molly Darling, were all quoted about $3 in early markets.

"There are a few in there that are just making up the numbers but there are three or four really nice fillies, too," said Mangos.

"This Oaks is definitely stronger than the New South Wales Oaks, where we ran second to Foreal.

"It's a bit hard to line up how good White Thunder is because this race is stronger than the Queensland Oaks [that she won at her last start] but she also won the Pacing Gold as a 2-year-old.

"Over here they're saying she's very good and I expect her to start favourite.

"I don't think any are better than my filly though."

Mangos describes tonight's draw of five as ideal, though he expects Innocent Eyes to have sufficient gate-speed to hold the lead.

Again, Norwood Abbey should make the race a spectacle. She is off the unruly after her erratic beginning in the Victoria Oaks but will still attack at the first opportunity.

In Mangos' absence, his stable will line up just one runner tonight at Alexandra Park. Harry Kay, who takes his place in race two, is reported to be forward for his first run since February.

"He's had two trials and improved with each of them. He's been gelded since he last raced, and even though he's no star, he should be very competitive in this grade."