Tally and Moreira to fire at Flemington

A long-range plan and the world’s hottest jockey support the prospects of the consistent Tally in the G1 Australian Cup at Flemington on Saturday.

Few horses in Godolphin’s Australian stable deserve a G1 win as much as Tally and trainer John O’Shea believes everything is in place to reward the son of Street Cry.

“He’s been set for this race - third up at 10 furlongs is ideal for him,” O’Shea said.

“He’s run third at Group One level behind Hartnell, so he’s more than capable at this grade and he’s coming to a nice peak.”

Two of Tally’s five wins have been at G2 level and he was placed in the G1 ATC Derby at three.

But perhaps his greatest asset on Saturday is the presence in the saddle of Joao Moreira, the mercurial Brazilian-born, Hong Kong-based rider who is fresh from a record eight-winner haul at Sha Tin last weekend.

“It’ll be interesting to see how the race pans out,“ O’Shea said

“If it’s a normal Australian Cup with no speed, he’ll take a forward position with Joao Moreira on his back and I think he can be competitive.”

O’Shea is also relying on Moreira to coax the best from Fragonard who is being given a second chance in Melbourne in the G2 Kewney Stakes.

“Fragonard’s an exceptionally talented filly, she just has some difficult idiosyncrasies in terms of travel so we’ve tried to keep her in Sydney as long as possible and send her down to Melbourne late,” O’Shea said.

“She didn’t settle in at all down there in the Spring, but if she can run up to her work and the ability she’s shown us at home she’ll be more than competitive.”

Moreira will also be aboard the filly Circular who is expected to appreciate a dry track and the trip in the G3 Matron Stakes.

“Her pet distance is a mile on firm ground, which she is going to get on Saturday,” O’Shea said.

Godolphin’s Melbourne team is completed by Toga Picta (Ben Melham) who faces a step rise in grade in the G2 Sires Produce Stakes, but is expected to be up to the task.

“He won at Wyong so he steps up from midweek class to Group company, but he’s a really talented young horse and the move up to 1400 at Flemington will really suit him. I expect to see him hitting the line strongly,” O’Shea said.