McNeil guides Single Note to Valley win

A well-judged frontrunning ride from Jye McNeil has helped Single Note add a Saturday city victory to her name in her final racing preparation.

The Robbie Griffiths-trained Single Note is scheduled to head to the breeding barn this spring but the trainer hopes the rising six-year-old can add a couple more victories during winter.

Single Note, who firmed from $41 to $20, began well in the Friends Of Epworth Plate (1600m) for fillies and mares at Moonee Valley, and McNeil was able to hold the lead on the fence and then dictate terms.

After getting a breather mid-race, McNeil ramped up the pace before the home turn and had Single Note full of running while entering the home straight.

Hectopascal ($5.50) issued a strong challenge on her outside but Single Note kept rallying to get home by a short neck, with another 1-1/4 lengths to Fudged ($19).

Single Note has won eight of her 36 starts, including four in town, with her previous city wins coming at midweek level.

“She’s won a lot of races for us and given us a lot of joy,” Griffiths said.

“It’s great to do that in her final preparation because she’s off to the breeding barn this year.

“She’s done a fantastic job for us.”

Griffiths said it was yet to be determined how many more starts the mare would have before she visited a stallion at the start of September.

“I’d say because she handles the wet she’ll probably run right through the winter,” Griffiths said.

“It’s certainly her last preparation and we’re just going to enjoy every run between now and then.”