Busy at Bendigo

Ballymore heads to Bendigo on Wednesday where we saddle up five runners kicking off with debutant Malan in the third event, the Maiden Plate over 1000m.

To be ridden by Nick Hall from an outside gate (barrier 12), the son of Not A Single Doubt will, says Michael Moroney, need luck, but he is a handy type in the making.

“He is a nice, strong horse,” Moroney said, adding that “he has shown us a fair amount of speed.”

Consistent filly Savvy Princess is our next runner, taking her place in the fourth race, the Windermere Hotel Handicap over 1300m.

A last start Kilmore second, the daughter of Savabeel is again back in distance – having not run the longer trips we thought she might.

“She seems to have thrown more to her dam line,” Moroney said, “but we think we have her at the right trip now and she should prove hard to beat.”

Green when resuming at Bairnsdale, the lightly raced My Mirage – who races in the fifth race, a 62 ratings event over 1300m – has had several gear changes.

“He has been rather wayward, laying in and proving hard to ride. Hopefully the changes will sort him out and we have engaged Craig Newitt, a strong rider who should suit him.”

Imported galloper Picture Editor makes his debut for the stable in the seventh race, the 1600m Showcase.

“He has good English form,” Moroney said, “and he is well forward for his first run. Whether the mile is long enough is the question but he is an interesting runner.”

Nicely primed fourth up and suited by the step up to 2400m, Balmoral looks nicely placed in the seventh race on the card, the Reservoir Hotel Showcase.

“He comes off a nice run (a Sandown third over 2100m) and this looks the right race for him, he will be hard to beat.”