Racing: First city win looms

Photo / Thinkstock

Post D'France will look to continue his winning run for new trainer Stephen Brown at Sandown today in a race that will be a milestone for the horse's apprentice rider.

The 4-year-old Post D'France has landed back-to-back provincial wins since joining the Flemington stable of Brown and both times Patrick Moloney has been aboard.

He retains the ride for the Swettenham Stud Handicap (2100m) in what will be his first race ride on a Melbourne city track.

Brown is thrilled to have the 3kg-claiming apprentice aboard and said he had started to build a "pretty good rapport" with Moloney , who has ridden 37 winners in provincial and country Victoria this season, including three for Brown from little more than a handful of rides.

"I think he's a really good little rider, and he reports back well," Brown said yesterday.

"After a race, he'll give you a full rundown and he's normally spot on."

Moloney is from a well-known racing family, being the son of Caulfield trainer Gerard Moloney and grandson of Jim Moloney, who trained the great sprinter Vain.

Post D'France, bought from New Zealand after winning two of his 11 starts, won over 1479m at Kyneton first-up for Brown last month before another win less than two weeks later over 1700m at Sale.

"He's a pretty handy horse and he's done it so easy in his two runs so far. He's probably better suited up to the 2100m as well."

- AAP