Racing: Prince Of Penzance seeks ticket to Caulfield Cup

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Trainer Darren Weir is hoping to use the Moonee Valley meeting today as a springboard towards the Mornington Cup for promising stayer Prince Of Penzance.

Weir rates Prince of Penzance, one of three horses from his stable racing today, as his best chance at the Moonee Valley meeting.

So do punters, with the gelding a $4.80 second favourite for the Sportingbet Best Tote Plus Hcp (1600m) behind $4.60 top pick Stradale for Anthony Freedman.

Weir regarded Prince Of Penzance's last-start seventh to the in-form Sistine Demon as a great run.

"He raced with no luck and hopefully he'll go well on Saturday," Weir said on Thursday.

"He's in good order and he'll gradually progress once he gets over 2000m."

The trainer is targeting Prince of Penzance towards the Mornington Cup (2400m) in February, a race which earns the winner automatic entry into the Caulfield Cup.

Weir's two other runners at Moonee Valley, King Buddy and Our Hand Of Faith, will contest the City Jeep Hcp (1200m). "It's unfortunate that they are both in the same race. That's just the way it goes and you can't do much about it."

Weir said King Buddy ($11) would face a tough task with equal topweight of 60kg and a midfield gate in nine.

The 7-year-old comes into the race off a last-start third at Caulfield over 1100m.

- AAP