KEY POINTS:
Melbourne: Trainer Mark Kavanagh is looking for an inspired ride from Michael Rodd on Devil Moon to overcome the outside barrier in today's group three Let's Elope Stakes at Flemington.
The King Cugat four-year-old had no luck from barrier 14 in a 15-horse field when she resumed with
a close seventh to Storm Signal in the Cockram Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on August 18.
"Never wins first-up, but she goes pretty well second-up," Kavanagh said of the mare who has won one of her two second-up runs.
"It was a very good run first-up when trapped five deep in the run. When she wasn't five deep she was six deep."
Rodd rode Devil Moon for the first time in the Cockram and she again fared poorly in the draw for the Let's Elope, coming up with the outside gate, 20.
She will jump from barrier 16 if the four emergencies don't get a run.
"I think she'll run very well tomorrow if she has any luck," Kavanagh said.
Devil Moon won three straight stakes races last preparation in Adelaide, including the group three Auraria Stakes (1800m) at Morphettville.
She was spelled after she ran third to Anamato and Cancanelle in the Australasian Oaks (2000m) at the same track in April.
The Let's Elope (1400m) looks a wide-open event with some of the better chances coming out of the Cockram including Juste Momente (third), Bellini Rose (fifth) and Cancanelle (sixth).
Carbine Club Stakes winner Permaiscuous has four "duck eggs" next to her name in form guides, but trainer David Hayes won't be surprised if she wins the Let's Elope.
The Danzero four-year-old, who was beaten just a short half-head by Miss Finland in the group one Thousand Guineas at Caulfield last spring, could be ready to show something like her best form.
Her first-up effort was sound as she jumped awkwardly and didn't have much luck when a 3-3/4-length 10th in the Cockram.
"Permaiscuous is starting to act like she was last year," said Hayes yesterday.
"She's getting very aggressive so I can see her from the wide barrier (15) sliding across and being right on the pace," he said.
Nick Ryan replaces the suspended Damien Oliver on Permaiscuous tomorrow.
The race marks the return of Kiwi trainer Mike Moroney's Caulfield and Melbourne Cup prospect Eskimo Queen. But her chances were also dimmed by the shocking draw of 18.
The Queensland Oaks (2400m) winner hasn't raced since clipping heels and dislodging jockey Greg Childs when sent out favourite in the Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 9.
Childs, who returned from a broken tibia in his right leg last month, will ride Eskimo Queen.
Maroney said she would need luck today and will improve as her spring campaign progresses.
- AAP