Money Monster set for King’s Plate

MONEY MONSTER ran a gallant race for third behind strong-off-the-turn SISTREN TREASURE when last out, relegated by late-closing CRIMSON close to home after being involved in the pace from start to finish with topweight 126lb at nine furlongs and 25 yards.

Returning at 119lb in Saturday's King's Plate at seven and a half furlongs, MONEY MONSTER gets a deserved break at the scale, which will allow him to comfortably stalk the pace, keeping the likes of FREEDOM STREET, EAGLE ONE and POWER RANKING in his crosshairs before pouncing.

POWER RANKING and FREEDOM STREET, four-year-olds who recently won their fourth races, are new to overnight allowance. However, MONEY MONSTER is a battle-hardened six-year-old at the level, ready to oversee the youngsters' baptism.

EMPEROROFTHECATS returning last Saturday to beat open-allowance runners at five furlongs round, stalking YELLOWSTONE and GOD OF LOVE before attacking off the final bend, points to MONEY MONSTER franking the form after being six pounds worse at the scale when the pair met in the Ash Wednesday Trophy.

Running with 117lb in the Ash Wednesday, MONEY MONSTER finished a clear second behind EMPEROROFTHECATS. NUCLEAR NOON, two lengths off MONEY MONSTER, won his next race, beating EAGLE ONE and MADELYN'S SUNSHINE at five and a half furlongs.

Since chasing home EMPEROROFTHECATS, MONEY MONSTER can be forgiven for his efforts against foreigners, dismissed by out-of-class RUNAWAY ALGO and outstayed by SISTREN TREASURE, allowing the importee 11lb at nine furlongs and 25 yards on last.

Unlike NUCLEAR NOON, runner-up behind EMPEROROFTHECATS last Saturday, MONEY MONSTER was thrown to the lions after the Ash Wednesday, first slammed by RUNAWAY ALGO, who won at a mile in 1:38.1, proving he belonged nowhere near overnight-allowance company.

Against SISTREN TREASURE, who had finished fourth in the Ash Wednesday, begging for more ground, MONEY MONSTER tried gallantly against the foreigner, but topweight took a toll after being dragged by OUTBIDDER for a mile.