Cranbourne trainer John Moloney would like to give apprentice Tayla Childs both a Christmas present and a going away gift over the festive season.
Childs leaves for Perth on Wednesday on a three-month loan, but if the stint proves successful, it could be extended.
Moloney has booked Childs for Fine Dane in the Sweeney Estate Agents Caroline Spring Handicap (1000m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday and on Imperial Lad in the Ken Sturt Handicap (1400m) at Sandown on Monday.
“It would be nice to send Tayla off on a good note,” Moloney said.
“She’s got two good rides over Saturday and Monday. Here’s hoping we can send her on her way.
“She’s going over for three months trial and we’ll see how she goes.
“If she likes it, she can extend it. I’m not going to hold her back. She needs to get a chance. I can give her rides, but she’s not getting many from elsewhere.
“She can have a fresh start, and hopefully she gets going early and away she goes.”
Fine Dane is chasing his first win since August last year, but Moloney said the gelding was a consistent performer who invariably races well at Moonee Valley.
“I was pleased with his last run and back to Moonee Valley, he’s got form there,” Moloney said.
“He’s drawn a good gate and Tayla rode him well there at Pakenham, so he gets a little weight relief.
“He’s so honest and he’s tipped over $500,000 in prize money. I would like a few more like him, especially when I own half of him.”
Imperial Lad has banked almost $680,000 in prize money and Moloney is hoping he can turnaround his last start second to Savannah Cloud, a horse he opposed to again on Monday.
“He has to go up against Stokes’ horse again who beat us the other day, but we meet it two kilos better, so hopefully that will help us,” Moloney said.
“He runs well at Sandown, so he’ll get his chance.”
