Racing: Typhoon Tracy set for repeat

Peter Moody. Photo / Herald on Sunday

Peter Moody says Typhoon Tracy is going every bit as well as last year and can make it back-to-back CF Orr Stakes victories at Caulfield today.

The Red Ransom mare was sent out A$1.40 favourite when she defeated Heart Of Dreams in last year's 1400m Group One weight-for-age feature.

Typhoon Tracy went into the 2010 Orr first-up whereas this time she has had the benefit of a lead-up run when a closing third to Whitefriars in the Group Two Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on January 28.

While there appears to be more depth to this year's Orr, Moody is confident the reigning Horse of the Year can break a run of six outs.

Moody said if Typhoon Tracy continued to get beaten her racing future would be in doubt as there would be no value in keeping such a potentially valuable broodmare in work and in all likelihood she would be retired to stud in the spring.

"I think she can [make it back-to-back Orr Stakes wins]," Moody said.

"I'm very pleased with her. She's prepped up well. I was disappointed that she didn't win first-up but I was very pleased with her effort on the night. I think at 1400 metres, weight-for-age on her home track the race looks made to order so we're in no excuses territory.

"I wanted to run her over the 1200 metres first-up as she was prepped up for the Cox Plate [in which she didn't run] in the spring," Moody said.

"She's drawn to get a lovely run [from barrier 11]. Luke [Nolen] can take his time in getting across.

"Whether he wants to sit outside Danzylum [expected to lead] or Doubtful Jack, he's got plenty of options."

If successful Typhoon Tracy will emulate the feats of three equine legends, joining Lord (1959-60), Manikato (1979-80-81) and Vo Rogue (1988-89-90) as the only multiple winners of the race which has a history spanning 86 years.

Typhoon Tracy is A$2.40 favourite with TAB Sportsbet ahead of stablemate Doubtful Jack at A$7, Ortensia at A$10 with Heart Of Dreams and Spacecraft at A$11.

Luen Yat Forever, a newcomer to the Moody stable, is at A$26.

* Four Starzzz Flash has firmed in favouritism for the Waikouaiti Cup tomorrow with the scratching of Manhattan Rusty.

An impressive winner of the Oamaru Cup on grass at his last start, Manhattan Rusty has strained a hock.

"He was a bit scratchy on Monday and it flared up again on Wednesday," Bruce Hutton, the trainer of Manhattan Rusty, said.

"The treatment we have given him rules out racing for 10 days."

Four Starzzz Flash has not finished further back than fourth in his last seven starts. He has won at Addington and finished second in both the Invercargill and Marlborough Cups.

- AAP, ODT