SYNTHETIC RUNNERS ON FRIDAY

Two runners for us at Ballarat today on the synthetic track.

Tequila Spirit is the first to go in race one, the Maiden Plate over 1000m with Patrick Moloney to ride.

The All Too Hard filly showed good early speed before finishing third last start on the synthetic surface at Ballarat and Mike Moroney is looking for a similar performance today.

“She’s shown us some nice gate speed but she is still quite inexperienced,” Moroney said.

“This looks a nice race for her and from barrier one she should be able to race on speed with a good start.

“I’m happy with the way she’s trained on, she’s got ability but she needs the practice. We’ve taken the pacifiers off to try and get her away from the start.

“She’s still learning and provided she can get a clean start then I expect her to be competitive in a race with several first starters.”

Rugged Woman debuts in race four, the Fillies and Mares Maiden Plate over 1400m with Fred Kersley aboard from barrier four.

“She’s ready to go and has had a couple of jumpouts at Flemington to have her prepared,” Moroney said.

“She hasn’t shown us an abundance of early speed so it’s hard to know what to expect - she will certainly improve for the experience and it does not look the strongest of races on paper.

“She’s had some practice on the synthetic surface and the slightly slower tempo of the 1400 metres should suit.

“She’s out of a Galileo mare and inbred to Sadler’s Wells so whatever she does today I expect her to improve on and I’ll be happy to see her running on through the line.”