Happy Father's Day!

Father's Day is a busy one for Ballymore Stables and we hope we can find some winners for all the dads out there!

Ballarat is the day's main meeting and we have five runners starting with Tempest Rock in the second race, a 1200m 3Y0 Maiden Plate.

To be ridden by Nick Hall, the son of Rock Of Gibraltar is well regarded by Michael Moroney.

"He is one of the three-year-olds we really like," he enthused - "he is a really nice horse. We expect him to run in better races over the spring."

A bargain $35,000 purchase from the Melbourne Premier Sale, Tempest Rock is out of the high class race mare Tempest Morn who won twice at Group One level - taking out the Australasian Oaks in Adelaide and the Ansett Australia Stakes in Sydney.

The talented Quarterbar (pictured) is top-weight in the sixth race, the 1600m Showcase.

Having only his second run from a lengthy, injury enforced spell, the son of Oratorio got a bit too far back when resuming but he is fitter and the step up to the mile suits.

"He is getting fitter," Moroney said, "and it would not surprise us if he could win - he is a very nice horse although better over even further."

Contesting the same race, with Michael Walker to ride, is the in-form Nordic Duke who is expected to run boldly again.

An easy winner two starts ago at Werribee, the Viking Ruler 4Y0 stepped up to the mile last start - catching the eye with a strong late finish for second at Bendigo.

"He has been in terrific form and he has trained on well - he just keeps on improving."

"The penny has really started to drop with him with race practice and he should prove pretty hard to beat."

Stayer All Out War resumes in the seventh race, a 1200m handicap and whilst he will improve over longer trips he does have good gate speed.

"He is the sort of horse who could suprise first up," Moroney said.

Our New Order is in the same race and he is looking to atone for a luckless run at Tatura last start - fifth of six but never clear in the run home.

"He probably should've won there and he has been going well since - we can't fault him, he is thriving."

The stable also heads to Wangaratta on Sunday with three runners kicking off with debutant Spectral Black in the second race, a 1170m maiden.

To jump from barrier two with Darren Gauci aboard, the son of Spectatorial has been shaping nicely.

"He is quite a nice horse and he can use his good barrier draw as he has shown a bit of speed."

Also having her first start, Miss La Bonga contests the following race, a 1400m maiden and whilst she has ability the trip is likely to prove too short for the daughter of Don Eduardo.

"She is a staying type," Moroney said, "and she will probably get back and hopefully she can finish on nicely."

Whilst we don't usually back horses up quickly, we are looking forward to running last Sunday's winner Mariah's Pulse in the sixth event, a 1400m ratings handicap.

"She is a very strong mare and there are not many races over that trip around in the next couple of weeks," Moroney explained.

"We thought she'd win last start and she did so well although she ran about a bit late - having had only five starts she still has plenty of scope for improvement."