Ballymore on fire - Geelong Cup Day Double

Ballymore took just the two runners to Wednesday's Geelong Cup meeting - saddling up That's The Way in the second event and Garud in the third - and we were able to cheer on an impressive running double.

Both horses were tough on speed and both gave great kicks in the run home to win by good margins in soft fashion.

Having only his fifth start and his third this time in, That's The Way was not expected to lead but that's where he ended up for champion rider Glen Boss and he was always travelling well.

With the others off the bit and chasing from before the turn, That's The Way railed nicely into the straight - getting a couple of lengths clear and holding off the fast-finishing Gerontius to win by half a length.

A good-looking son of Pentire (pictured), also sire of our multiple Gr.1 winning star Xcellent, That’s The Way has always been held in high esteem by the stable.

"I think he is pretty smart," Michael Moroney said.

"A few things have gone wrong this preparation but he has got real ability."

There are no big plans for That's The Way, a horse who is still to reach full maturity - Moroney noting that "he has started to lighten off a bit so I am not sure how far we will go with him this time in."

Garud however does have spring plans - the imported five-year-old to be aimed at The Lavazza, the 'other' staying race at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day.

That race is one in which we have enjoyed previous success - Linton Street taking it out at big odds three years ago.

A deserved winner having finished in the placings at his first four runs this campaign, Garud had excited us early.

"When he won in easy style over 1400m at Ballarat first up for us in March we thought we had a lot to look forward to when he got over more ground," said Moroney.

"But he just got a bit dour so we tried blinkers today and they really made the difference."

Settling nicely for Kerrin McEvoy, the up-and-coming five-year-old was held up briefly in the straight but once the split came he took it - racing away to a 3 3/4 length victory.

A winning double gives us some confidence heading into a big weekend - everyone at the stables looking forward to our three Cox Plate weekend runners Jelly Baby, Shenzhou Steeds and, in the big one, Glass Harmonium.