WINSLOW trainer Ciaron Maher is hoping the hype surrounding emerging galloper Moudre is well-placed when he opens his spring campaign at Flemington today.
The five-year-old stayer was yesterday an early favourite in fixed odds betting for the $75,000 Keith Jackson and Colin Johnston Handicap (1410 metres).
Moudre, which won his last start impressively, the $70,000 rating 0-95 handicap at Flemington in May, enters today's race fresh after a 10-week let-up.
Maher said he was somewhat surprised about the interest in Moudre, which won a trial over 1200 metres at Geelong's synthetic track on July 26.
"It was more a learning curve for Craig (jockey Craig Williams) to get the feel of him," Maher said.
"He did everything you asked of him but you can't take a lot out of it, it wasn't an overly strong field.
"There is a lot of hype by the way and ease he won his last start at Flemington. It (the hype) was probably because Lloyd Williams had big raps on the horse he beat, Module."
Maher has entered Moudre for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups and the Cox Plate but he has two plans devised for his charge.
"I would like to take him to the better races if he can get in them but he has to step up along the way. We have one plan if he steps up and everything goes to plan and if he doesn't we will look for some other races."
He said today's run could give him a good insight into the Warrnambool-owned runner's spring hopes.
"If they run well fresh, they are generally in for a pretty good campaign. You can get a fair guide. It will be good to see if he can do well over the 1400 metres in that competition."
Maher said the prospect of a heavy track wouldn't worry Moudre.
"He's a good wet-tracker and I think he is fit enough for the 1400 metres. The 1400 would be the only question, whether it would be far enough for him."
Stablemate, former West Australian galloper Oroya Gold, also had strong claims, Maher said. Another Warrnambool galloper, last year's Wangoom Handicap winner, Arch Symbol, trained by Bill and Symon Wilde, is entered in the race.
While Maher will be at Flemington, his fiance Bianca Gilcrist will be overseeing Maher's two jumpers at Morphettville.
He will saddle up last-start winners July in the $50,000 Grand National Steeplechase (3500m) and Man Of Class in the $50,000 Grand National Hurdle (3500m).
Maher said July, in his first steeplechase start had won at Murray Bridge last week and that Man Of Class, which has run second and first in his two hurdle events, had defeated a similar field to the one he meets today two weeks ago at the same track.
Warrnambool trainer Peter Lafferty has Ballysteen entered in the Grand National Steeplechase after his gelding missed a start in last Sunday's Crisp Steeplechase at Warrnambool. He is also nominated for tomorrow's Coleraine meeting, which features three jumps races.
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