The James Cummings trained filly Banish gets her chance to prove herself on top of the ground when she lines up in the Listed $120,000 Mitchelton Atlantic Jewel Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on Saturday.
Craig Williams, above, rides Banish in the Atlantic Jewel Stakes at The Valley. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Banish is the winner of two of her four race starts, both on rain affected tracks and jockey Craig Williams is anxious to see how the Lonhro filly takes her wet track form to The Valley after scoring a solid win for him on a heavy 9 track in a Fillies and Mares BenchMark 64 Handicap at Cranbourne on August 27.
“She was impressive on a Heavy track – we more than likely won’t be getting a Heavy track on Saturday,” Williams told racing.com.
“If she could emulate that type of performance on top of the ground, then they’re in for a nice prep with her, and you’ll see her in the black-type races during the spring.”
The Moonee Valley track was rated a Good 4 on Thursday afternoon with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting the possibility of some shower activity leading up to the weekend.
Banish has been a market drifter at Ladbrokes.com.au from $11 to $15 on Thursday and the Lonhro filly will have to overcome barrier thirteen in the fourteen horse Atlantic Jewel Stakes field if she is to figure in the prizemoney again.
Anthony Freedman’s undefeated filly Shoals heads the market order for the Atlantic Jewel Stakes at $3.90 at Ladbrokes.com.au and is certain to be given a good run by Mark Zahra from barrier six.
Zahra has ridden Shoals for two of her three wins during the Autumn Carnival in the Group 3 $150,000TBV Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1200m) at Flemington and in the Group 2 $600,000 IG Share Trading Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.
On the second line of betting at $4.60 is the Lindsay Park trained Sanadaat who is coming off a last start win in a 1200m three year old BenchMark 70 Handicap at Sandown on August 6.
Jake Duffy has retained the ride on the Not A Single Doubt filly who has drawn nicely at barrier five.
