Multiple Group 1 winner Sunlight shone brightly under the lights at Moonee Valley and Blake Shinn is hopeful her son Dawn Service can do the same on Friday night.
Sunlight took out the Group 1 William Reid Stakes at The Valley under lights in 2019 and her colt by Justify, Dawn Service, will front up on Friday night under The Valley lights to contest the Group 2 Stutt Stakes (1600m).
Shinn partnered the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Dawn Service in a gallop at The Valley on Monday morning and is confident the colt will handle the rise in distance after leading throughout at Flemington over 1400m at his previous run.
It was Dawn Service’s first look at The Valley under lights and importantly for the rider the colt handled the track without any concerns.
“He was good, he handled the track nicely, which was most important,” Shinn said.
“His work was solid, and he’s trained on well.
“He’s going up to the mile, so he’s got to tick that box, but I’ve seen some improvement from his last run in his manners, so hopefully that’ll hold him in good stead for the weekend.”
Shinn pointed out Dawn Service was a little keen in his all-the-way victory at Flemington on September 14 when having his first run in four weeks.
The rider has partnered Dawn Service in three pieces of work since and said the colt was relaxing, a good sign for the rise in trip.
“He made all at Flemington, and he went good sectionals the whole way,” Shinn said.
“He got a little tired late, but he was entitled to with the times that he was running in the early and middle stages, so if he can just rest a bit better within himself to give him a chance to run the mile, he should run it out.
“In saying that, he was a month between runs last time, so a shorter turnaround into this race, I think that’ll help him (settle) in the run.
“He’s a good horse and I’m looking forward to riding him again.”
Nominations for the Stutt Stakes have been extended until Tuesday with only 10 horses entered for Group 2 race for three-year-olds.
Rivals for Dawn Service entered on Friday night include Detroit City, Evaporate and Rue De Royale.