Co-trainer Peter Morgan is hoping an eight-and-a-half kilo difference in weight could deliver Eloping an upset victory in Saturday’s $200,000 Group 2 Mitty’s McEwen Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley, reports Racing Victoria.
The three-year-old filly will carry 50kg under the weight-for-age conditions, with the world's highest rated sprinter Lankan Rupee set to carry 58.5kg.
Speaking at Moonee Valley on Tuesday morning where he was overseeing Eloping gallop, Morgan said he was hoping Lankan Rupee could be vulnerable first up from a spell.
“I don’t know whether he’s back to how he was or not,” Morgan said.
“(Eloping’s) got nothing on her back... catch us (if you can).”
Working over 800m with jockey Linda Meech in the saddle, Eloping ran a time of 56.33 seconds alongside stable mate Lady Trickster, sprinting home over the last 400m in 24.94 seconds on the rain-affected track.
Pleased by the work, Morgan said he was very happy with Eloping heading into her first up run.
“She’s still got a bit of a coat on her, but she hasn’t changed since she was winning during the autumn,” he said.
“Everything’s in good order with her. (I’ll be happy) as long as we can run a place for her pedigree.”
Another Peter Morgan and Craig Widdison-trained galloper to step out at Moonee Valley on Tuesday was last-start P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) winner Star Rolling, who worked over 1000m alongside stable mate Averau.
Set to line up in Saturday’s Group 2 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m), Morgan said Star Rolling – who ran his final 400m in 24.84 seconds – had improved since his first up win.
“He’s 15 kilos lighter, his coat’s almost out, so we’re pretty happy with him,” Morgan said.
“It’s a long campaign. I don’t think we’re going to the Cups with him, he’ll run Saturday then go the Underwood (1800m) and then we’ll decide what we’re going to do.
“If we can win the Underwood or something like that then of course we’re going to be in the Cox Plate.”
Click to view the full list of weights and nominations for Moonee Valley on Saturday