Prebble and Green Moon reunite in Futurity Stakes

Hong Kong based jockey Brett Prebble is still living the Melbourne Cup dream as he reunites with Green Moon at Caulfield today in the Group 1 $500,000 Cathay Pacific Futurity Stakes(1400m).

green moon

Brett Prebble and Green Moon winning the 2012 Emirates Melbourne Cup. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Prebble returned to Hong Kong and Green Moon went to the spelling paddock after the pair combined to win last year’s Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 6.

“It’s still a surreal feeling. Now it’s an international race it’s even better. I talk to Gerard Mosse about winning a Melbourne Cup and we both agree it’s something you can’t explain,” Prebble said.

“If I’m having a bad day I just go and remember that race and I’m back on cloud nine.”

“Even the race. It all happened like a dream. To quote Glen Boss I was just in the zone and it all just happened for us. Green Moon didn’t lose any momentum at any stage of the race and that’s a key factor in winning big races.”

Today’s run in the Futurity is only one of two starts that Green Moon will have in the Autumn, the other being the Group 1 $1m Darley Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington in two weeks.

Prebble arrived back in Australia on Thursday and visited Green Moon and owner Lloyd Williams at Macedon Lodge and was happy to be reunited with the six year old.

Williams told Prebble that Green Moon was very well and was expecting a forward showing from the multiple Group 1 winner first up.

“I’d be surprised if he doesn’t run a very forward race,” Williams said.

“He’s going to get back but if they open up he’s going to be strong in the finish.”

Prebble got a feel of the Melbourne Cup winner on Friday and said he felt terrific.

“He’s not at his winning weight, but you wouldn’t want him to be,” Prebble said.

“He’s very fresh, very well and I expect him to be very strong at the end of the race.”

“His only other start this prep will be in the Australian Cup and he’ll be ready for that.”

Green Moon is on the third line of betting at $7.50 in the Futurity with new weight for age star All Too Hard the $1.60 favourite after scoring first up in the Group 1 $400,000 Sportingbet C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 9.

Top New Zealander weight for age performer King Mufhasa splits the pair at $5.25.

The Caulfield track has been rated a dead 4 for Blue Diamond day with Melbourne expecting another hot day with a forecast top temperature of 33 degrees.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.