Moody to have two runners in Oaks

Leading Melbourne trainer Peter Moody will have two runners in next week's AJC Australian Oaks after Speedy Natalie bounced back from a disastrous trip to Adelaide to win Saturday's Adrian Knox Stakes at Randwick.Moody took Speedy Natalie to Morphettville for last month's Australasian Oaks but she bucked shortly after the start and took no part in the race.Despite the setback he pressed on to Sydney and the filly rewarded his faith with a seemingly effortless three-length win in the Asian Racing

Leading Melbourne trainer Peter Moody will have two runners in next week's AJC Australian Oaks after Speedy Natalie bounced back from a disastrous trip to Adelaide to win Saturday's Adrian Knox Stakes at Randwick.

Moody took Speedy Natalie to Morphettville for last month's Australasian Oaks but she bucked shortly after the start and took no part in the race.

Despite the setback he pressed on to Sydney and the filly rewarded his faith with a seemingly effortless three-length win in the Asian Racing Federation Trophy Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m).

"She's had an interrupted preparation. We went to Adelaide and I don't know what happened there, we expected this in Adelaide and we've had to wait another six weeks for it," Moody said.

"Her fitness hasn't been an issue, we've just had to keep her mentally fresh."

While Moody confirmed Australian Guineas placegetter Set For Fame would miss next Saturday's AJC Australian Oaks (2400m) he said Speedy Natalie would join stablemate Ocean Dream in the race.

"I'll have to find a jockey for Ocean Dream now because I'd say (stable rider) Luke Nolen will want to ride this one (Speedy Natalie)," Moody said.

Backed from $3.50 to start at $3.30, Speedy Natalie was a class above her rivals and easily accounted for Status Quo ($2.80 fav) with Spinnawitch ($26) another half-length away third.

Kerrin McEvoy, rider of Status Quo who had strung together consecutive midweek wins prior to Saturday, said his filly was outmuscled.

"It was a good run but the winner was too sharp for us," McEvoy said.

Spinnawitch wasn't among the original entries for the Oaks and trainer Denise McGrath said they would not be paying the late entry fee for her to run.

"She won't go to the Oaks, she's at the end of her preparation," McGrath said.

"She's done a terrific job, she's a gutsy terrific horse and we'll give her a break now."