Bonnie Mac shoots for Group One glory

Further Group One racing in Brisbane on Saturday and hopefully we can see out the Brisbane carnival with big race success - talented mare Bonnie Mac (pictured) taking her place in the feature event, the $500,000 Tattersall's Tiara.

Not at her best in the Dane Ripper Stakes on heavy going at her most recent outing, Bonnie Mac has, says Michael Moroney "been up a while and done a bit of travelling."

"But," he added, "we can't fault her trackwork so we have our fingers crossed that we will see improvement from her on the better track."

To be ridden for the first time by the in-form Eddie Wilkinson who was aboard our Ipswich Cup winner Shenzhou Steeds last weekend, Bonnie Mac has tasted defeat only twice in seven starts and she is nicely drawn in barrier seven.

Also at Eagle Farm, Maythehorsebemagic - having missed out on a run as emergency in the Brisbane Cup - is being aimed at the Queensland Cup in two week's time with Saturday's Gr.3 Tattersall's Cup over 2200m his lead-up.

"The question mark is whether it will be far enough for him," Moroney said, "but he has travelled up and settled in really well."

A last start second over the 3200m of the Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes at Flemington, Maythehorsebemagic has drawn awkwardly in barrier 17 but has the services of Kerrin McEvoy.

Ballymore also saddles up three runners at Flemington on Saturday, kicking off with Lordoftheparrots in the third event, heat five of the Banjo Paterson Series over 2540m.

"It is his first try at a distance," Moroney said, looking forward to seeing how the son of Lord Of Warriors handles the challenge.

"It is quite a strong field but he is bred for ground he is going well."

Lordoftheparrots will be ridden by New Zealand mature age apprentice Harry Kasim who is staying with us at Ballymore for three months. Hopefully he can make his Flemington debut a winning one!

Exciting three-year-old That's The Way heads to town at only his second start, lining up in the fourth race, the Brian Beattie Handicap.

A "good thing beaten" at his Sale debut a couple of weeks ago, the promising son of Pentire has progressed nicely since.

"We are treating that race as a win as he should've won it," Moroney said.

"The only question mark with him is how he will handle the straight but he is a pretty good horse."

Sophrosyne has not won any favours drawing barrier 17 in heat six of the Winter Championship - Moroney concerned that he will have to endure too tough a run.

"That is not the gate for him at all," he rued, "he is a horse who really needs cover."

Hopefully the luck will come however with Sophrosyne racing extra well this preparation, close up at his last two back from a lengthy break.