Godolphin filly ready to Banish rivals at Valley

Darryl Sherer - Tuesday September 5

Promising filly Banish will be tested at Listed level in the Atlantic Jewel Stakes at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Banish (inside) and Esperance galloping on Tuesday. Photo: Darryl Sherer

The three-year-old daughter of Lonhro has not missed a place in her four starts and came from last to score over 1200m first-up on a heavy track at Cranbourne on August 27.

Godolphin's Melbourne assistant trainer David Charles said the progressive filly deserved a start in the Listed contest over 1200m.

"I thought she was impressive winning at Cranbourne," Charles said. "It was against the bias on the day and she did it well - we think she deserves a shot at a better race.

"She'd pleased us in the lead-up to her last start and while Saturday is obviously harder it will be a good test and we'll see where we are at with her."

Banish was paired with the unbeaten Esperance in a gallop over 1000m at Moonee Valley on Tuesday, completed in 1:07.68 with the last 400m in 25.20 seconds.

Charles said the first foal of Twilight Glow Stakes winner Meidung coped with the course well.

"It was terrific to be able to come here and gallop ahead of the race and we're very happy with her," Charles said.

"The course posed no problems for her and she got round it very well. She's pulled up well and we're looking forward to the race on Saturday."

The 2016 South Australian Derby runner-up Etymology will also represent Godolphin in the Open Handicap over 1600m and he had a solo spin over 1400m, rolling up his last 400m in 26.22 without any effort.

"He's coming back off a long break but was super first-up in Sydney," Charles said.

"We're just looking for him to come here Saturday and run well and then we can assess where he's at for the rest of the spring."

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