Valley Pearl on Wizard's Radar

With Moonee Valley's feature race being the $5m All Star Mile, many of Australia's leading jockeys are in town, and with Hugh Bowman down in Melbourne for Mugatoo (Henrythenavigator) in the main event, he takes the ride earlier in the day aboard the Chris Waller-trained Wizard of Oz (Exceed And Excel-Dream In Colour, by Frankel) for a large group of high-profile owners. They include Coolmore, Pencarrow Stud's Sir Peter Vela, Debbie Kepitis' Woppitt Bloodstock and the Huddy's Peachester Lodge. Slightly disappointing on debut when seventh behind Bourbon Flyer (Flying Artie) over 1100m, the Milburn Creek-sold, $1.1 million Magic Millions purchased colt has headed south to chase black type. From a family that traces back to Forensics (Flying Spur), Not A Single Doubt (Redoute's Choice), Snippets (Lunchtime) and Coolmore's recently retired stallion prospect King's Legacy (Redoute's Choice), Wizard Of Oz is out of the imported Frankel mare Dream In Colour, herself a daughter of the Godolphin-owned Colour (More Than Ready). Dominant Magic Millions Adelaide 2YO Classic winner Scorched Earth (Nicconi-Scorched, by Exceed And Excel) is the race favourite ahead of Rosemont Stud's filly Glitter 'N' Gold (Choisir-Gold Lottey, by Encosta de Lago), an impressive debut winner.