Five at Flemington

Saturday is a big day for the stable with a taste of spring at Flemington - Ballymore saddling up five very nice horses at the Makybe Diva Stakes Day meeting.

And our day kicks off early with exciting filly Serenade resuming in the opening event, the Listed Cap D'Antibes Stakes.

Having her first run since the autumn, Serenade was one of the strongest finishers in the Golden Slipper, recording impressive sectionals with her closing seventh.

Drawn out wide down the straight with Glen Boss to take the ride, the daughter of Star Witness has been working nicely.

"She is forward enough to run a bold race," Michael Moroney said, adding that he was looking forward to "seeing where she fits in with the better fillies."

We have two promising three-year-olds in the third race, the Listed Pin & Win Stakes; Tulsa and War Legend.

Unfortunately both have drawn out wide and will thus need luck.

"They are in the same boat in that they will have to go back - but they are both well and they just need the pace on. If they are finishing off strongly we will be happy."

A horse we are particularly excited about leading into the spring is Yesterday's Songs who is second up in the Listed Sofitel Stakes.

Storming home to finish third first up over 1200m, the lightly raced five-year-old is suited up to 1400m - proven at the track and trip.

"He has drawn nicely (barrier six for Glen Boss) and he just needs luck in running to prove very hard to beat."

With his spring aims including the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, the Toorak Handicap and the Emirates, Yesterday's Song looks set to reward connections for their patience.

"He has matured into a lovely horse," Moroney enthused, "and you can see that in the way he carries himself and the way he goes about his work."

Stayer Garud resumes in the final race, the Spring Is The Season Handicap and it would not surprise to see him run boldly at the 1700m.

"He has a very good first up record," said Moroney, "and he has always raced well at Flemington."

We also have a runner at the Geelong meeting on Friday, Strike Force looking nicely primed to break through in the second race, a 1325m maiden.

Close up at his first two outings at Sandown, the son of Lookin At Lucky has not had things go exactly to plan as yet - and he does have another tricky gate (15).

"But Glen Boss is to ride and he is a tough horse who we think is good enough to take the chance."