Runners around the country...

A busy weekend lies ahead for the Moroney stable – two runners at Moonee Valley tonight, one at Caulfield on Saturday, two in Sydney, one in Adelaide and more on Sunday!

After the runaway success of Marheta at Sale today, we are feeling quite confident about our chances over the next few days – kicking off with Across The Moon and Steel Stilettos at Moonee Valley.

The topweight in the opening event, Across The Moon was a very good fourth in Listed company in Adelaide last start and she has pleased us since.

“She is a really tough little filly,” Michael Moroney said, “and she has come through her trip well.”

“She is pretty fast – our only concern is the rail being true, it might not let us make the most of her tactical speed.”

Steel Stilettos, lining up in the second event, would also be better suited with the rail out but she too is going well.

“She was luckless last start,” Moroney said, “she was held up badly but she found the line really well. She will be competitive in what looks to be a strong Friday night fillies race.”

The lightly raced and promising Don Sebastian is our only runner at Caulfield but we are confident that he will run a big race.

“He possesses a lot of natural ability,” Moroney said – “he is a real up and comer. He is still a big green but he has blinkers on for the first time and we think he is pretty good. We are going to Caulfield with a bit of confidence.”

Two nice runners in Sydney also – the always reliable Mr Baritone and the classy mare Divine Rebel.

Taking his place in the Gr.2 Canterbury Stakes, Mr Baritone would be better suited with the sting out of the ground but his two runs this preparation have been full of merit.

“It is not a big field and he will be competitive – he always is.”

Divine Rebel also races best when there is a bit of rain about but she has been shaping extra well of late, her Australian Cup run a particularly good one. She lines up in the Gr.1 Ranvet.

“The 2000m may not be long enough for her now but she is going really well and we thought she’d need one more run leading up to her main aims – The BMW and the Sydney Cup.”

Our other Gr.1 runner on Saturday is Tootsie who has unfortunately drawn a horror gate in the Robert Sangster Stakes at Morphettville.

“If you have to draw wide that track is not too bad,” Moroney said, “but she will need luck in running.”

She is well however – “I am very happy with her,” Moroney added – pointing out that the form around her is strong, her latest victory coming at the expense of Be Positive who won at Gr.3 level last weekend.

On Sunday Abitofado looks a big chance of adding another country cup to his resume, the five-year-old having raced away with the Stony Creek Cup at his most recent outing.

“The Yarra Valley Cup is a bit bigger a field and a bit stronger – but he is going really well, he is in the best form of his career and he should again prove hard to beat.”

Also at Yarra Valley, due to contest the final event, is Hiphopopotamus who has his hoof firmly on the till.

Drawing wide gates at each of his three outings this preparation, he has been getting back and running on well. A step up to 1950m and better luck with the barrier draw (4) should seem him right in the finish.

“He has finally drawn a gate! That should put him right in the race – it gives him his chance to win.”

Also on Sunday we have Sukki Mojo running in the 1400m maiden at Tatura. We were very pleased with his first up performance and he did not have the easiest of runs.

“He was always very wide,” Moroney said, “but it was a very good run and he is ready to win.”