Long weekend runners

With Maythehorsebemagic unlikely to gain a Brisbane Cup berth as emergency, it is a quiet Saturday for Ballymore with just the one runner - the tough Sophrosyne (pictured) - at Flemington.

Taking his place in the fourth heat of the Winter Championship, the five-year-old was a game close up third when resuming in another heat at Cranbourne a few weeks ago.

"He is second up from a long break but he is going well and his first up run was excellent," Michael Moroney said - hoping to gain more points towards the rich final of the series.

On Sunday we head to Cranbourne with two runners, the first of those being Eureka Pulse who lines up in the fifth event, the Beacy Handicap over 1200m.

"He has his share of weight (60kg)," Moroney noted, "but he won well at his first start and we have been happy with him since."

To be ridden by Ryan Maloney, the promising son of Dash For Cash has drawn nicely in barrier 5.

Colossus Of Rhodes is our other Cranbourne contestant, running in the final race of the day - the Tankformers Handicap over 1500m.

"He will be better for his first up run where he just tired that last bit," Moroney said.

"With luck in running he can figure in the thick of it."

On Queen's Birthday Monday we have another three runners, Deep South our only Mornington runner.

A concern if she again strikes heavy going as she did first up when well beaten, the daughter of Don Eduardo will improve as she steps up in distance.

We also send two runners to Doomben on Monday, kicking off with the lightly raced and promising maiden Chilean Plume in the opening event.

Having only his fourth start having finished runner up at two of his first three, the Pins three-year-old has travelled up well to Queensland.

"He has only been the right-handed way once in an early trial in New Zealand," said Moroney, "and he did a bit wrong. But he is aided by a lovely draw (4) and he should prove very competitive."

Also drawing well - barrier 1 - Lagonissi should appreciate a step up to 2000m in the Class 6 Handicap.

"She is an improving mare and her first up run (an Ipswich fourth) was good. She has struck a reasonable field but she has drawn nicely."