Moonee Valley Blackbookers and horses to follow from August 9

Here are our blackbookers and horses to follow from the action

Oak Hill resumed from a winter break and was one of the most impressive winners of the day, producing a dominant last-to-first win over 1000m. The five-year-old was having just his second start since he was transferred to the Hayes stable and showcased a sharp turn of foot and a new-found ability to relax under Blake Shinn. The son of Per Incanto looks to have matured will be targeted at the Listed Carlyon Stakes, before a possible tilt at the Group 1 Moir Stakes. A winner of seven from just 14 starts, his best might be yet to come.

Race 5 went the way of Don’t Hope So and it was Deepfloat Diva that was an unlucky runner-up for the Richard & Chantelle Jolly stable. The South Australian settled worse than midfield and was held up from the 400m to the 200m before rattling home and missing in a tight one behind the winner. He has been up for a while, producing a series of solid runs in Adelaide but does look to have a race in him in the latter stages of the winter in Melbourne. 

Hard to go past Esha as a horse to follow after her all-the-way win, cruising home by 3½ lengths in her Melbourne debut. The Shane Nichols-trained daughter of Extreme Choice showed blistering early speed and a sharp turn of foot, confirming her potential. Possible targets include the Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes in Sydney. The runner-up, Petit Artiste, produced a respectable effort at a bit of a price. She was last in the early stages and produced the fastest 400m-200m split. A Listed winner in the autumn, she can keep improving with racing. 

It was a promising effort by Freak Of Nature in the final race of the day. The Jason Warren-trained galloper won six of his first 15 starts before going off the rails somewhat since then with some poor runs, finising last in his first three runs this time in. He was stepping up to the 1600m for the first time on Saturday and was slow out of the blocks, dropping off the field but worked home well in the latter stages with the fastest last 600m and 200m. Keep him in mind over similar or longer distances at his next few starts.