Galleywood Hurdle victor Black And Bent won't run over jumps again until next month's Australian Hurdle but trainer Robert Smerdon has him well placed to continue on his winning way on the flat at Moonee Valley on Saturday.The younger half-brother to dual Jumper of the Year Some Are Bent has been in top form combining flat and jumps racing, winning four of his last five starts, and will be ridden by the in-form Mark Zahra in the Gillies Famous Pies Country Cup (3000m).Five of the Black Hawk geld

Galleywood Hurdle victor Black And Bent won't run over jumps again until next month's Australian Hurdle but trainer Robert Smerdon has him well placed to continue on his winning way on the flat at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

The younger half-brother to dual Jumper of the Year Some Are Bent has been in top form combining flat and jumps racing, winning four of his last five starts, and will be ridden by the in-form Mark Zahra in the Gillies Famous Pies Country Cup (3000m).

Five of the Black Hawk gelding's nine wins from 29 starts have been on the flat including a 2500m event five starts back at Moonee Valley on April 1 and his last-start victory over 2400m at Sandown on May 19.

Smerdon nominated the rising five-year-old for next Wednesday's Winterset Hurdle (3300m) at Sandown but the Caulfield trainer said he would prefer to wait for the Australian Hurdle (3400m) at Sandown on June 19 for his next jumping outing.

Black And Bent is unbeaten in two hurdle starts this year, beating Grizz over 3300m at Sandown on April 21 and again defeating Grizz in the Galleywood Hurdle (3200m) at Warrnambool on May 5.

"He's flying on the flat and has earned his chance at a Saturday win," Smerdon said.

Smerdon has been happy with star `chaser Some Are Bent since his fall in the Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m) at Warrnambool on May 6.

Some Are Bent had his first jumps trial since the fall when second to Our Santa over 2800m at Pakenham on Monday and Smerdon intends to run him in next Wednesday's Redleap Steeple (3300m) at Sandown ahead of the Australian Steeple (3900m) at Sandown on June 19.

With his regular rider Brad McLean suspended until June 11, Steven Pateman will ride Some Are Bent at Sandown.

A field of 14 has accepted for Saturday's staying event with last-start New Zealander winners Sparking (59kg) and Titch (56kg) at the head of the weights.

Both are now with the Patrick Payne stable.

Sparking, who won over 2000m in heavy going at Pukekura on May 15, will be ridden by Danny Brereton while Michelle Payne takes the mount on Titch who won over 2500m at Riccarton on May 8.