Jessica Eaton will chase the biggest win of her rapidly rising career in tomorrow’s $202,250 Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic (1200m) at Murray Bridge.
Eaton’s elevation to become South Australia’s leading rider in 2020/21 has seen her booked by astute Caulfield horseman John Moloney to partner race favourite Scorched Earth in the feature.
“I knew Jess here in Melbourne and she’s ridden for me before, but she’s gone ahead in leaps in bounds since going to Adelaide,” Moloney said.
“She’s been in fine form.”
Scorched Earth ran fourth in the Magic Millions Clockwise Classic at Ballarat back in November and comes off a game effort when runner-up behind Arcaded in a Blue Diamond Prelude at Caulfield.
Moloney said he would expect the daughter of Nicconi to have taken plenty of benefit from that run.
“She ran good in both the clockwise race at Ballarat and then the Prelude,” Moloney said.
“That was three weeks ago. She’s had no problems since and worked well at home, and by rights she should be better for the run.”
Moloney said the pair should get a perfect run somewhere near the speed from barrier four.
“I think she should be just behind the speed, she won’t be too far away,” Moloney said.
“She jumped and led last time but that was at a much slower rate. I think if the speed is up and about she should be just in behind them.”
Moloney will be having his first runner at Murray Bridge’s Gifford Hill track and said he had been impressed by the feedback from both local and interstate participants regarding the racing surface.
“Everyone has told me it’s a great track,” he said.
“We’ve watched it on the screen you can see every horse gets the chance. It looks to be a great track to bring a horse to. I wish a few of our tracks here in Victoria were set up the same.”
Image: Scorched Earth (right) in a Blue Diamond Prelude at Caulfield. PHOTO: Herald Sun
