Weekend runners

The stable looks a big chance of winning its first stakes race of the new season when Tootsie takes her place in Saturday's $200,000 Gr.3 Let's Elope Stakes at Flemington.

Catching the eye with a terrific first up fourth in the Cockram Stakes - finishing hard on the heels of the placegetters after striking trouble at the start - the five-year-old daughter of Pins has improved since that run.

Boasting excellent second up form, Tootsie is a three times winner at the 1400m and Michael Moroney could not be happier with her.

"Everything is good with her," he said, "I can' t fault her. She has come on week since her last start. " "It would have been nice to have one more run at the 1200m but this race slotted in well and they look an even bunch of mares."

Describing Tootsie as "a lovely mare, very athletic and nicely balanced," Moroney pointed out that she has great future value as a broodmare, being closely related to the big race winners Vision And Power, Glamour Puss and the promising Glam Slam.

Michael is also looking forward to the debut of the promising Viking Hero at Wodonga on Sunday, describing the Elvstroem three-year-old as a horse "we have always had a lot of time for." A $160,000 Easter Sale yearling, Viking Hero is out of a Zabeel half sister to the AJC Derby winner Innocent King and the popular Sandown Cup winner Royal Snack.

Rhys McLeod takes the ride aboard the highly regarded colt and he has drawn ideally in barrier four.

Another three-year-old showing promise is Itimio who ran a handy fifth at his Cranbourne debut a couple of weeks ago. The extra 200m here will suit although Moroney feels that the son of Flying Spur will be appreciate even more ground as he matures.

The third of our runners at Wodonga is Hiphopopotamus who looks nicely primed for the 2050m handicap. This is likely to be his last run for this campaign and Moroney is hoping "he can go out a winner." "He came over from New Zealand a little bit light," he explained - pointing out that the four-year-old son of Ustinov still has plenty of scope to mature - "he is a nice staying type in the making," he said.

A month in the paddock is the plan for Hihopopotamus who will back racing over the summer.

First up at Cranbourne on Sunday is Keeper Brown who has been working nicely. Racing for the first time since February, he has shown promise over a bit more ground but Moroney expects a bold showing - "he is quite forward for his first up run," he said.