US Navy Flag bidding to bounce back in Group 1 Manikato mission

11.30am Moonee Valley
Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes (Group 1) 6f, 2yo+ | ATR

Bogged down in the mud when only ninth in the $13 million The Everest at Randwick 13 days ago, US Navy Flag will have ground conditions more to his liking when he bids for a fourth Group 1 success in Friday's Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley.

Ryan Moore partners the Aidan O'Brien-trained three-year-old, one of four runners for Ballydoyle, in a race named after a superstar Australian sprinter of the 1970s and early 1980s.

Speaking on Thursday, O'Brien said: "The ground was all against US Navy Flag at Randwick and the better ground this time will be a big plus for him.

"He travelled down from Sydney well and the lads with him are very happy with him. He's got a good draw [two] and we're looking forward to the race."

O'Brien is also represented by Spirit Of Valor, who was second in a Group 2 race over the trip at Caulfield a fortnight ago, Fleet Review and Intelligence Cross, both of whom finished down the field in the same Caulfield race.

"The lads say Spirit Of Valor came out of the race well and, while he's drawn wide, we're hoping for another good run," he said. "They think Fleet Review has come forward since Caulfield, while Intelligence Cross missed the break there and could never get into contention."

The O'Brien quartet face ten rivals including the Godolphin-owned Kementari, who is dropping in trip having been fourth in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes over a mile at Flemington on his most recent start and is blinkered for the first time.

James Cummings, trainer of the four-year-old, said: "There looks to be plenty of speed drawn inside and if it does become a swooper's race then he won't be locked away on the inside. He's got a really strong burst and can sustain pressure from a long way out. So I'd rather be five wide on the turn than boxed up on the fence and not getting a run.

"He's ready to run very very well as a fresh horse over 1,200 metres [six furlongs]. Good horses run well at Moonee Valley and he's one of the best we have in the stable. When the pressure goes on I think he'll respond. We're going to saddle him up with a lot of confidence that he's going to run very well."

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