Moonee Valley Comfortable with Spring Changes

The Moonee Valley Race CLUB (MVRC) and Victoria Race Club's (VRC) spring programs remain unchanged for the upcoming Spring Carnival, with MVRC chief executive Michael Browell telling racing.com that his Club isn't too bothered by having their proposal knocked back. "We suggested to move the Feehan Stakes to four weeks out from the Cox Plate but that was knocked on the head," Browell said. "We are comfortable with the changes this season, we don't think there will be an impact on our races and will keep tweaking with the program if we see fit." The Gr2 Feehan Stakes will remain in the first week of September, between the Gr1 Memsie Stakes and Gr1 Makybe Diva Stakes. The Feehan Stakes offers ballot exemption to the Gr1 WS Cox Plate, but last year the race only attracted eight starters and was won by Humidor (Teofilo-Zalika, by Zabeel). MVRC also suggested a change to the date for the Gr1 Manikato Stakes, as it is currently only six days after The Everest, however this was also overlooked.

Last year's Feehan Stakes winner Humidor (pic: Mark Gatt)