Macedonian and Brungle Cry to clash

By Mathew Toogood

MELBOURNE, May 29 AAP - Peter Moody's decision to accept with Macedonian for Saturday's Australian Hurdle has set up the prospect of an exciting clash between the son of Zabeel and Grand National winner Brungle Cry.

Macedonian made a good impression winning a maiden hurdle by 20 lengths last Wednesday, providing Melbourne's premier trainer with his first winner in a hurdle race.

Seven-year-old Macedonian finished fifth in the Group One Sydney Cup less than a month before making his jumps debut and he is one of nine acceptors for the $100,000 Australian Hurdle (3400m).

His opposition includes the Robert Smerdon-trained Brungle Cry who has stamped himself as one of the sport's young stars with wins in last year's Grand National Hurdle and the Galleywood Hurdle earlier this month.

Macedonian and Brungle Cry were installed joint favourites at $2.25 with TAB fixed odds on Wednesday.

Smerdon believes a clash between the two would be a good promotion for jumps racing.

He was "very impressed" watching Macedonian's debut over the obstacles last week on the same day his top jumper Black And Bent claimed an Australian record 10th successive victory over the jumps.

Smerdon said Macedonian was the one he feared most in the Australian Hurdle.

"He jumps well and he's a talented flat horse," Smerdon said.

With Black And Bent not among the Australian Hurdle acceptors, weights had to be raised 1kg with Brungle Cry and Gotta Take Care to carry 68kg.

Macedonian and the rest of the field have 65kg.

Moody told Racing Victoria he would study the race before making a final decision on whether Macedonian takes his place on Saturday.

"I'm happy with the horse but I was a bit disappointed with the weights," Moody said.

"I thought he was entitled to get a bit more weight off some of those better performed jumpers."