Three State Trio

It's a relatively quiet weekend for Ballymore with three runners - but they are in different states; Surpass (pictured) at the Gold Coast, Black Tomahawk at Moonee Valley and Mr Impatience at Randwick.

Taking his place in one of the day's features, the Gr.3 Tattersall's Cup, Surpass was not far away in the Brisbane Cup a couple of weeks ago and he has derived great benefit from that, only his second run back from a break.

"We were a tad behind the eight-ball with him," Michael Moroney said, "but he is hard fit now and so long as the track stays a bit damp he should prove hard to beat."

Meanwhile at home we have Black Tomahawk contesting the Brookfield Multiplex Handicap off the back of a gutsy win in a Showcase event at Bendigo late last month.

Suited up to 2040m third up, the son of Seul Amour has come up very well this preparation with Moroney's main concern being "a tricky gate" - barrier 8 - at his Moonee Valley debut.

"It is hard to judge whether or not they are going to handle the track. Normally I would not be too worried about that draw as he has good gate speed but at Moonee Valley they can get into a mad rush to the first turn."

"So it will be up to Jake (Noonan) what he wants to do in those early stages."

"But the horse has trained on well and he looks great - he should have a nice preparation."

On track for a crack at the upcoming Queensland Cup, last start runaway winner Mr Impatience races over 2600m in the TAB.com.au Handicap with Brodie Loy to take the ride.

Successful in dominant fashion over 3000m at Ballarat at his most recent outing - saluting by a soft seven lengths, the imported Hernando five-year-old travelled well to Sydney and Moroney is confident of another bold showing.

"He has done a bit of travelling so he is used to it and he has trained on well. There has been a bit of rain up there which suits him - we just hope that there is not so much that they don't race!"

To be ridden by Timothy Bell, Surpass has drawn ideally in barrier four

Started slowly, not much room and squeezed out just after start, raced stands' side, in rear, not clear run over 2f out, soon switched right and headway, ran on inside final furlong, going on at finish, 3rd of 17 in group (op 20/1)