Moonlight Bay sets sights on Cup win

Jockey Glenn Smith is hoping to break his Bunbury Cup drought when he guides AHA Cup winner Moonlight Bay in today’s $110,000 staying feature.

Originally from Tasmania, Smith has lived and ridden out of Bunbury since 2000 but has never finished better than fifth in the biggest race on the region’s calendar.

Smith’s quest to become the toast of his adopted home-town hinges on Moonlight Bay’s ability to replicate her strong AHA Cup run while carrying an additional 2.5kg today.

Carrying second top weight at 56.5kg, the Grant Williams-trained mare turned fourth but surged home to beat Cyber Crime by half a length on March 2.

That win has seen the six-year-old cop 59kg in her Cup bid, top weight from Detonator Stakes winner Pop Culture with 56.5kg while the rest of the field carries 54.5kg.

Adding to her task is a less than ideal 11th barrier draw after jumping from barrier two last outing.

Despite the obstacles standing in her way, Moonlight Bay has been installed as a strong $8 chance by the TAB and Smith believes that with a bit of luck she is more than capable of carrying him to victory.

“She’s a very honest mare, not a superstar, but she has picked up a major race in each of her last four preparations, ” he said.

“The field is not much different to the one in the AHA Cup and the extra 2.5kg won’t help but the minimum weight has also come up by half a kilo, which is noticeable.

“She’s drawn an awkward barrier and will need things to fall her way early but if we can get a bit of cover and be running fourth or fifth at the turn she will definitely be in contention.”

Moonlight Bay pulled up lame in her hind leg after the AHA Cup but is now fully recovered according to owner Robert Peters.

“She is back to 100 per cent fitness and has been well prepared for this race, ” he said.

“I believe she is a definite chance but will have to be very good to win it.

“She is a mare and in a weight-for-age race would normally get a concession so carrying top weight and starting from an outside barrier is a big ask but not beyond her capabilities.”