THE COMMONER CAN LORD IT AT BALLARAT

Three runners left for us on Ballarat Cup day following the scratchings of Hang Man from the feature and Bermadez.

The Commoner, Hawker Hurricane and Alburq are our representatives with The Commoner (pictured) the first to go in race four for mares over 1200 metres with Damien Oliver in the saddle.

The six-year-old was only beaten three-lengths first-up over 955 metres at Moonee Valley and Mike Moroney has kept the mare on the fresh side.

“I’d say the ground will improve a bit without any rain and that will suit her ideally,” Mike said.

“I’m really happy with her, she’s nice and fresh and well in herself.

“Looking at the speed map I think that if she can get a sit just behind the early pace then she is more than capable of finishing over the top of them in what appears to be a typically competitive mares race.”

Hawker Hurricane run in the fifth race over 1200 metres with Josh Richards aboard.

“He’s back to Ballarat where he’s won twice on this day before,” Mike said.

“I put the blinkers on him for his gallop on Tuesday and he went really well.

“With the claim he’s down to just 51 kilos and I thought his last start at Flemington was way better than it looks on paper, he was beaten just over four lengths and he drops 11 kilos from there to today.

“He will be big odds but with the the way he’s training I’m expecting him to be competitive in what looks a tough race on paper.”

Alburq is in race six over 1100 metres and again with the help of Josh Richards claim reducing his weight.

“He’s first-up after a long break and I’m happy with him,” Mike said.

“He’s forward enough to run a big race, especially with the favourable draw - he’s been ready to go for a little while now but we have scratched due to bad barriers.

"It looks a very even benchmark 70 but he’s trained up to run well and with ordinary luck I’d expect him to be there at the finish.”

All is well with Hang Man and Bermadez however, Mike has decided to scratch due to the barriers. Hang Man drawing 17 in the Ballarat Cup and Bermadez the outside 20 in the last race. They both have options in the coming weeks.