Moody Double At Sandown

Wednesday, 09 June 2010 09:00

Despite the fact Peter Moody wasn’t trackside, two runners from Melbourne’s leading stable won races at Betfair Park Sandown Hillside on Wednesday.

Live In Sin comfortably accounted for her opposition in the third race, the $30,000 Magic Flute Handicap (1000m).

Jumping from the inside alley with Luke Nolen in the saddle, Live In Sin ($3.80-$4.40) settled behind the speed set by Humma Mumma before bursting along the rails to win by three and three-quarter lengths.

Kel’s Gold ($6-$8) worked home well for second but never posed any threat to the winner while Humma Mumma ($4-$5.50) finished third.

Avelon Royale ($3-$3.80-$3.30 fav) was never in contention, finishing over eight lengths from the winner in fifth place.

“Pete (Moody) said she was going well but first-up over 1000 metres you just don’t know,” Nolen said.

“We were sort of worried with a few other horses having the fitness edge over her but she treated them with contempt.”

Nolen added that he was always confident of victory once Live In Sin was able to travel down the notorious dip at the top of the Sandown straight still on the bridle.

“You can then kick out of it (the dip) and it generally holds you in good stead for the rest of the race.”

Live In Sin has won five times from 15 starts and has placed on another three occasions to ensure her prizemoney is hovering just under the $100,000 mark.

Meanwhile Ghostmilk appears destined for another tilt at the VRC/CRV Winter Championship Series after her win in the $30,000 Nunkalowe Handicap (1400m).

Once again ridden by Nolen, Ghostmilk loomed up to her rivals from a midfield position before unleashing a devastating turn of foot prior to the furlong pole.

Leading by over three lengths at one stage up the straight, lack of race fitness told on Ghostmilk as the winning margin reduced to two and three-quarter lengths on the line.

Ghostmilk ($3.50-$3.90-$3.60 fav) defeated Cameo Mix ($7-$9) with Cool Diva ($9-$10) finishing four lengths from the winner.

“She enjoys the mud here at Sandown,” Nolen said alluding to Ghostmilk winning at the corresponding meeting last season.

“She got into the race a lot easier then I thought, she might have peaked on her run late.

“She open for improvement and they might tackle a similar race as they did last winter with her, probably the Winter Championship,” he added.

Owned by the OTI Racing syndicate headed by Terry Henderson and Simon O'Donnell, Ghostmilk finished eighth in last year’s Winter Championship final behind Gold Salute.

Ghostmilk has won twice from six starts in Australia, which is considerably more impressive than her English record of three wins from 29 starts.

Pictures: Colin Bull