Summer At Echuca

 Racing kicks off early on a hot day at Echuca on Thursday where Ballymore will be cheering on three runners; Margin Trader, Habitual Offender and Space who will be all be partnered by Jake Noonan.

Topweight in the opening event, the Moama Bowling Club Handicap, Margin Trader strips hard fit for recent racing and the 2100m is going to suit him down to the ground.

"He has been racing well but crying out for this extra distance," Michael Moroney said.

Closely related to Might And Power, the Tavistock four-year-old at his most recent run beyond 2000m was seventh behind Mongolian Khan in the New Zealand Derby.

Close up at both runs this campaign - not having the best of luck at his most recent outing - Habitual Offender (pictured) looks nicely primed for the 1600m of the Hopwood Land Sales Handicap.

"He has the blinkers applied and we are expecting big improvement from him," said Moroney, noting that the five-year-old "jumped out impressively" with the gear change recently.

Meanwhile our third runner Space is having his first outing since mid-August and we are expecting that the 1400m of the Snowgum Homes Handicap will prove too short for him.

"He has raced well fresh but he is a bit older now," Moroney said, looking forward to getting the talented stayer back up to his right trips later in his preparation.