A busy week for Ballymore

Ballymore has a busy week, starting with promising stayer Balmoral kicking off in the final event at Kyneton on Tuesday.

Having his first run since December last year, the lightly raced five-year-old resumes over 1469m with Lisa Cropp to take the ride.

"It looks a pretty strong field," Michael Moroney said, "but he could run very well fresh. He has trialled well and we are really happy with him - he is a nice stayer in the making."

A son of Pentire, Balmoral has had just the six starts - breaking his maiden over 2000m in easy fashion at Seymour last spring.

Sandown Wednesday sees us take four to the races, our first runner Diyaraka lining up in the third event, the 1600m D’Urban handicap.

An eye-catching grey mare who looked in great shape when making her Australian debut at Caulfield a couple of weeks ago, the imported daughter of Clodovil was safely held but far from disgraced over the 1400m.

“This will probably again be too short for her,” Moroney conceded, adding that “she is still improving.”

Diyaraka, who had seven starts in France – winning twice, did not race below 2000m there and Moroney is looking forward to getting her up to more suitable trips.

Butwaittheresmore (pictured) is another staying type and he kicks of his spring campaign in the fifth race, the 1400m Betfair Handicap.

“Hopefully there is a nice staying win in him this preparation,” Moroney said of the seven-year-old who looked good recording a strong Flemington victory over 2500m at his most recent run last December.

“It is good to have him back from injury and he looks terrific this time in.”

Up-and-comer Dead End contests the same race and Moroney is excited about the lightly raced five-year-old’s prospects.

“We are really happy with him,” he said. “It is a handy field but he is still sharp enough for the 1400m and his first up run was very good – he should prove hard to beat.”

Catching the eye with a strong late finish when resuming in a similar contest at Sandown a couple of weeks ago, the son of High Chaparral displayed great promise last spring – easily winning his maiden at debut before a tough second against more experienced gallopers in the all-greys contest on Oaks Day.

Another horse with plenty of promise is impressive last start Sale winner Stratocracy who takes his place in the sixth race, the Le Pines Handicap over 1600m.

A horse who has always shown plenty of potential – at his final autumn run finishing a close up sixth in the Gr.1 South Australian Derby – Stratocracy struck a strong field when resuming and was just too good.

“We couldn’t be happier with him,” Moroney enthused, “it was a nice first up win and he has trained on extremely well. We can’t fault him and with luck in running he should go very close.”