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Kirsten banking on home-track advantage

Kirsten Mooney is hoping to utilise her home track advantage when midweek racing returns to Oakbank on Wednesday.

Mooney saddles up two strong chances on the seven-race card, veteran 10-year-old Groove With Me and Ace Attack, who both head into the meeting in solid form.

“They’re both just such honest boys, both family pets really,” Mooney said.

Groove With Me has been placed at one of his three Oakbank starts and comes off a trial win there on January 8. Mooney said he isn’t a typical 10-year-old racehorse.

“Even though he’s 10 he only started racing at five and he’s racing really well,” Mooney said.

“He’s had excuses at his last few starts. He certainly trialled well there the other day.

“(This) might be a touch short, but we’ve kept him fresh.

“His trial certainly suggested he got down the hill better than he ever has. Jess (Eaton) said it felt like being on a motorbike and he gets in with no weight with Jacob Opperman riding him.

“I give him a good chance. He’ll try his heart out, like he always does, and won’t be far away.”

Mooney has produced three winners from her past nine runners and said Ace Attack – placed at his only start on his home track – was also going to the races in a good frame of mind after winning at Gawler three starts back.

“He’s probably the soundest he’s been and he’s loving his racing,” Mooney said.

“He’s been right around the mark. He was unlucky not to run second in that city race last time. He was second just after the line and he is going really well.

“Again, it’s a fraction short for him but we’ve trained him accordingly and he’ll get some weight relief with Jacob (Opperman), who rode him really well last start.

“He’ll go forward and make his own luck and he knows where the winning post is.”

Mooney said like any track it was an advantage to be trained on course, especially at a unique circuit like Oakbank. She was it was a nice change to be heading just down the road for the races.

“It’s fantastic,” she said. “Finally we’re utilising it (Oakbank) like we should be and the racing there certainly isn’t doing the surface any harm.

“Being trained there is either a help or a hindrance. I find they either go really badly when under pressure, or attack the hill. The more they work there the better they get.

“They do pick it up and learn where to put their legs. It’s not an easy track, but it’s such a beautiful surface and the ones that love it, really love it.”

 

IMAGE: Trainer Kirsten Mooney hopes Groove With Me can show his best form at Oakbank on Wednesday.

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