A BIG DAY FOR BALLYMORE AT BALLARAT

A big day for us at Ballarat with six runners including two in the feature $500,000 Ballarat Cup where the barrier gods have not been kind.

Hang Man (pictured) runs in his third "B" Cup having won the Benalla Cup and running third in the Bendigo Cup and has been freshened for today’s race by Mike Moroney coming back to 2000m.

The import was far from disgraced finishing third in the Bendigo Cup last start and has had some changes to his training routine this week

“We popped him over the logs for something different just to stimulate him and have added a shadow roll to his gear just looking for that little bit extra -.he raced in one in England and the idea is that it will give him something to think about.

“He is holding his condition well and galloped impressively last Saturday which was he major gallop. With luck in running from barrier 14 I expect him to run very well.”

Gundown won the Moe Cup over 2050m two starts back and finished fourth in the Kyneton Cup over 2000m last time out, continues to work impressively and is holding his condition well.

“He definitely hasn't gone backwards from his unlucky run last start,” Moroney said. “He has drawn the outside gate which will make his task a little more difficult but with a big field there is every chance the speed will be strong and set the race up for the back markers.

“While he has drawn wide I don't think that will cost him winning with top Dwayne Dunn on board and in a very open Cup I feel he is a good each-way chance.”

Hawker Hurricane won at this meeting last year and he runs in race nine, the Magic Millions 3&4YO Classic over 1100m with Jordan Childs in the saddle and jumping from barrier six.

At his last start Hawker Hurricane finished third over 1200m at Flemington on November 5 and has pleased since.

“He is in great order and continues to work well,” Moroney said. “His form has been pretty good really without a lot of luck and if he can get some luck in the run then his best form is certainly good enough to see him winning here.”

Rocking Eagle runs in race five, the $175,000 VOBIS Gold Eureka Stockade over 1400m with Michael Dee riding from barrier three.

The son of Zoustar won well on debut at Bairnsdale in October and then finished well for third behind Oasis Girl over 1300m at Bendigo over 1300m lat Bendigo last time out on October 30.

“He was very strong at the end of 1300m last start so he should relish the 1400m,” Moroney said. “He continues to work strongly and is holding his condition well. He has improved since his last run and I think he will be hard to beat.”

Milwaukee ran well when resuming to finish third at Flemington over 1200m on November 5 and races around a bend for the first time in a while in race 10, the $150,000 Tonks Plate over 1200m with Michael Poy riding.

“He has trained on since his excellent run at Flemington and looks very well,” Moroney said. “He’s got a bit of weight but he’s a big strong horse now - this field is weaker than the opposition he has been running against recently and with ordinary luckl he is a winning chance.”

She’s A Thief gets the day started in race one, the Fillies and Mares Benchmark 78 over 1200m.

The four-year-old made up good ground in the home straight when finishing third first-up over 1200m at Kyneton over 1200m on November 6.

“She has trained on very well since her first-up run and will strip fitter here today,” Moroney said. “She has drawn wide and will jump from barrier 14 which is less than ideal but at Ballarat the 1200m start is from a chute and they only go around one bend so hopefully she can find a spot mid field with cover.

“There does look some depth to the race however, If things fell her way then she should certainly prove competitive.”