MOREE trainer Doug Fernando says home track advantage will hold him in good stead at today’s seven-race St Patrick’s Day TAB card – Moree Race Club’s first meeting for 2026.

Fernando saddles up four runners, including veterans Lady Cornelia and Your Temptation in the 1600m Moree Rural Fire Service BM-58 Handicap.

Lady Cornelia, a nine-year-old mare who still retains her zest for racing, will be reunited with four-kilo claimer Angel Brennan, with non-claiming apprentice Zoe Hunt booked for Your Temptation.

Last start, Your Temptation, a former Victorian stayer, came from well back over 1400m at Gunnedah to finish fifth – beaten less than four lengths – behind Akauwheo.

Your Temptation has drawn perfectly in gate three today.

Moree trainer Doug Fernando at last year’s Moree Christmas twilight races.

“If Your Temptation can run like he did at Gunnedah, he’ll put himself right there,” Fernando said. “Our work rider, Amy Egan, galloped him Friday, and he worked really well.

“The horse is doing everything right. We’ve got him sorted out with his barrier issues – he was a bit of a rogue at the gates.

“He carries some gear when loading, including blindfolds and barrier blankets – you name it, he’s got it,” Fernando chuckled.

“But if he can run up to his last start at Gunnedah, I reckon he’ll go close. The step up to the mile at his home track suits him as well – it’s perfect,” he said.

Stable favourite Lady Cornelia has drawn a little wider in barrier seven, but carries only 52kg after Brennan’s claim.

“Lady Cornelia is old enough to be a grandmother, but she loves racing,” Fernando laughed.

“She hasn’t had great barriers in her couple of runs back and the distances haven’t suited her.

“But she’s another one that loves her home track – she’s won over the mile here – and Angel will take off four kilos.

“Angel was having her first ride in a race at Deepwater on Lady Cornelia, and she’s back on at Moree.”

Moree trainer Doug Fernando with Horeb and his father, stable foreman Marty Fernando, with Your Temptation. Fernando will saddle four runners at Moree today.

Fernando also saddles Horeb in the 1200m Patrons’ Country Boosted Maiden and Jet Empress in the 1200m Jock’s Hire BM-66 Handicap. Both horses have drawn perfectly – a crucial requirement from the 1200m start at Moree.

Horeb, with Zoe Hunt on board, has drawn the coveted one barrier, with Jet Empress jumping from gate three with Brooke Stower on top – a key booking.

“Our little mare, Horeb,  has come back pretty good,” Fernando said.

“We started her first-up at Tamworth last month, with Jake Praecey Holmes on board, and she ran a half-handy race.

“She’s drawn well in gate three and I’ll tell Zoe to keep her on the bridle. The horse doesn’t bludge or anything, but she needs to have her mind kept on the job,” he said.

Jet Empress is second-up today, after finishing down the track at Goondiwindi three weeks ago.

“Before we got her, Jet Empress was a horse that liked to get out and charge in her trackwork,” Fernando said.

“Since Amy’s been riding her, she’s settled her down. Amy can now go out and ride her on a loose rein – the horse is learning her craft.

“If she can find a nice spot and settle, she’ll run a race,” he said.