Calm before the Spring storm

It's a relatively quiet weekend coming up for Ballymore stables but definitely a case of the calm before the storm with 16 of our spring carnival hopefuls competiting at the Werribee jump-outs on Friday morning.

We have just the one runner at Caulfield on Saturday, Jelly Baby due to take her place in the fifth race of the day, the Yalumba Masters over 2412m.

A lightly raced filly coming off a gutsy second at Sandown, she is rising in class taking on the males but a good run is expected with Lisa Cropp aboard.

"There is a bit of depth to the race," Michael Moroney conceded, "but her last run was good and she has trained on well."

Our only other Saturday runner is Shining Bullet who, after going close at Ipswich last start, contests the fifth race at Doomben over 2020m.

To be ridden by Scott Seamer, the consistent four-year-old is, says Moroney "an interesting runner with the blinkers on for the first time."

"Larry Cassidy got off him last time and said he needed them so we are giving them a try."

Three runners on Sunday also, kicking off with Jamelden's Dream in the 1736m maiden at Sale.

"Whilst he was well beaten at debut over 1213m there was a bit of merit to the last bit of that run and he is an out-and-out stayer," Moroney said.

"His dam was a Queensland Oaks runner up and he seems to be following in her path. We expected an improved run over this longer trip."

Tackling one of a strong provincial day's main races, the Middle Distance Series Final worth $40,000, Mr Molokai looks our best chance for the weekend - coming off a 4.8 length victory at the same track.

"He was super impressive last start," Moroney said, "he has really improved this time around. This field is a little bit stronger but he has come through that last race well and he is the one to beat again."

Unfortunately from Victoria we couldn't see Lady Fleming's last run at the Sunshine Coast with the Telstra link down that day, but she was beaten just a length into fourth placing - jockey Matthew Palmer reporting that she didn't quite see out the mile.

So she drops back to 1400m at the same track on Sunday, Larry Cassidy to take the ride.

"She is an honest filly who should be thereabouts as usual," Moroney said.