Oronero faces his first test over 2500 metres at Moonee Valley after breaking through for his first metropolitan win at the same track last start.Formerly with Flemington trainer Nigel Blackiston, the five-year-old has had four starts since being transferred to Cranbourne-based Mick Kent for two wins and a second placing.Oronero is by Colombia, a brother to Octagonal who was sold for $NZ1.6 million as a yearling at auction in New Zealand in 1998 and was prepared by Lee Freedman but never made it
Oronero faces his first test over 2500 metres at Moonee Valley after breaking through for his first metropolitan win at the same track last start.
Formerly with Flemington trainer Nigel Blackiston, the five-year-old has had four starts since being transferred to Cranbourne-based Mick Kent for two wins and a second placing.
Oronero is by Colombia, a brother to Octagonal who was sold for $NZ1.6 million as a yearling at auction in New Zealand in 1998 and was prepared by Lee Freedman but never made it to the racetrack.
The gelding has raced 23 times for five wins and eight second placings including a 1-3/4 length second to La Rocket in the Listed Spring Classic (2000m) at Seymour last November.
Two starts back Oronero was beaten a long-head when runner-up to Blaze Adrift in the Pakenham Cup (1750m) before scoring Lone Command and Royal Inquest over 2040m at the Valley, last month.
Victoria's leading apprentice Jason Maskiell has retained the mount on Oronero in the Lindt Excellence Hcp after winning on him last start.
Leading trainer Peter Moody has engaged NSW apprentice Taylor Lovelock-Wiggins for Ishant in the same event.
Damien Oliver will pilot the consistent Tony Vasil-trained stayer Skystreamer who has won three of his past five starts including a last-start success over Honor The Force and Dabba Dancer over 2500m at the Valley on March 19.
Benalla trainer Wayne Nichols is confident Alezzie can break through for her first city victory in the Big 6 Hcp (1200m).
The Court Of Jewels three-year-old filly, a winner at two of her eight starts, has come up well this preparation scoring first up over 1000m at Bendigo on February 26 before finishing second to Off The Planet over 1200m at Sandown on March 17.
"She's a really nice filly with a lot of talent," Nichols said.
Amongst her opposition is last start Moonee Valley 3YO Maiden (1000m) winner Miss Octopussy.
A sister to Mitchell McKenzie Stakes winner Minnesota Shark being by Lonhro out of Group Two Kewney Stakes winner Ponton Flyer, Miss Octopussy gave trainer Tom Hughes his first city winner since Little Boy Blue scored at the Valley on December 4 last year.