QUALITY TRIO IN FLEMINGTON FEATURES

Only three runners for us at home today but quality horses in feature races with Japanese Emperor and Elkington Road in the Australian Guineas and Bankers Choice in the Blamey Stakes.

Scratchings have enabled Japanese Emperor (pictured) to gain a start in the three-year-old classic where he will be ridden by Daniel Stackhouse and Mike Moroney is delighted.

“It’s great to make the field as we have aimed him at the race,” Mike said.

“He’s pleased me in his work and he certainly does not lack ability. If I have a reservation it is that he is still a little bit new to it all as we have not fully tested him but his ability is there, he’s copped the work and I’m keen to test him at Group 1 level.

“Whatever he does today he will improve on as he’s still a bit on the burly side but I’m confident he will hold his own and a win will not surprise me at all.”

Elkington Road has done well since his excellent first-up run and he galloped with Japanese Emperor on Tuesday.

"He's done well and I couldn't be happier with him," Mike said.

"On the way they galloped on Tuesday I can't split them. Elkington Road ran his race a little bit in patches last time but he was not far away at the finish and a repeat of that will see him in the finish today."

Bankers Choice has taken good improvement from his first-up run and he will be ridden by John Allen from barrier nine.

“He’ll need a bit of luck in running but it looks like there is good speed in the race,” Mike said.

“I’m happy with him, he’s done well and his work has been good. He’s certainly good enough to win, he will just need a bit of luck as he tends to get back in his races but Flemington is a lovely fair track so we’ll leave that up to John.

“It would be great to win and gain a wildcard into the All-Star Mile.”