Sumakaray winning at Moonee Valley last year.
SMART filly Sumakaray will be out to restore her reputation in the $80,000 3YO Fillies Hcp (1200m) at Moonee Valley tomorrow night.
The Brian Cox-trained galloper has had a five-week freshen-up since her unplaced Caulfield run.
Sumakaray won her previous start, at Moonee Valley in December, before Cox found the filly was “tying-up” and was forced to miss a start before the Caulfield failure.
Cox said it would pay to forgive Sumakaray for one bad performance and he was confident she could bounce back with a strong effort at Moonee Valley.
“I’ve been galloping her at Albury with the Wodonga track out of action for a month and am quite happy with her work,” Cox said.
“She’s drawn a nice alley and gets in nice at the weights.
“I’m confident she will run a terrific race.”
Sumakaray has drawn ideally in barrier 1 with talented Leeton apprentice John Kissick claiming three kilograms.
Kissick has had two rides on Sumakaray for two wins, including her Moonee Valley success.
“From the ideal draw, it gives us plenty of options,” Cox said.
“We will just see the racing pattern on the night.
“If the track is leader-biased she can box seat.
“And if they are swooping she can settle a bit and sit further back in the field.”
Sumakaray boasts the impressive record of six starts for four wins and more than $110,000 in earnings.
Stablemate Chinzia will contest a heat of the $55,000 55 Second Challenge (955m) at Moonee Valley.
Chinzia has been placed at her two most recent starts at the course.
Cox said the four-year-old mare could possibly back up in the $50,000 Flat Knacker on Albury Gold Cup day next Friday.
The dominant force in North East training ranks is planning to have a strong presence over the two-day carnival with up to 10 likely runners.
The Wodonga Cup king said Minnie Downs and Murdoch’s Joy would form a two-pronged assault on the Albury Gold Cup.
Cox last won the $170,000 feature with Ekalaka in 2002.
