Premiership leader Dunn back at Sandown
Dwayne Dunn returns from a careless riding suspension at Sandown having maintained a handy lead in the Melbourne jockeys’ premiership.
Dunn was banned for 10 meetings at Moonee Valley on June 18 but only missed one metropolitan meeting.
In his absence Craig Williams was able to claw one win back at Flemington on Saturday but still trails Dunn by four with 10 city meetings of the season remaining.
Dunn, who is chasing his first Melbourne premiership, has seven rides at Sandown on Wednesday while Williams is booked for eight.
Trainer Mike Moroney has booked both jockeys for his horses on Wednesday with Dunn to continue his recent association with Bonnie Belle in the Crown Golden Ale Handicap (1700m) while Williams’ forward thinking earned him the ride on Rising Stock in the Racing Photos Handicap (1400m).
Rising Stock will be chasing his third-straight win after narrow victories at Bendigo and Sandown this month.
Williams called Moroney about the ride before nominations for the benchmark-78 handicap knowing that Luke Currie, who has ridden the horse in his two recent wins, would be away on holidays.
“Craig was pretty quick off the mark,” Moroney said, adding he was happy to book the four-time premiership winner.
“Rising Stock has been up for a while but he’s done a great job and I think he’s going as well as he ever has.
“There’s no reason he won’t run well again.”
Bonnie Belle is the early $4.60 favourite to break through for her first Australian win at her 10th attempt, having finished runner-up in her past three starts.
The mare’s only win was in a maiden in New Zealand in one of four starts she had across the Tasman early in her career.
“It’s probably a bit disappointing she hasn’t won one here by now, she’s had a couple of chances of doing it,” Moroney said.
“She hasn’t been finishing far away and hopefully her turn will come on Wednesday.
“She does put herself in the race but she’s just been finding one better. We’re stepping her up in distance a bit further again to 1700 metres and I think the bigger track at Sandown will suit her better than Mornington last start.”