Wall Street in top shape for Railway

Four times Group One winner Wall Street is in great shape heading toward's Saturday's feature - the $1 million Gr.1 Railway Handicap at Ascot.

In good form this campaign, finishing a close up fifth in Happy Trails' Gr.1 Emirates Stakes at his most recent outing, the son of Montjeu travelled well to Perth and has thrived.

"He is really well," Michael Moroney enthused, adding that he is happy with the the 57kg Wall Street is due to carry.

"That sort of impost shouldn't worry him," he said - "it is the first time he has come in and under weight-for-age for a while."

"He has a pretty difficult draw (16) but should he get the luck in running he will prove hard to beat."

A veteran traveller, Wall Street is at his pet trip with nine of his 11 victories (including three of his Gr.1 successes) coming at the mile.

Somewhat surprisingly Kerrin McEvoy has never ridden Wall Street before but we are hoping their partnership kicks off in winning style!

Closer to home on Saturday we saddle up Octavia in the opening event at Mornington, a 1216m maiden.

To be ridden by Jason Lyon as she was at debut, the daughter of Holy Roman Emperor was a pleasing fourth at Kilmore a few weeks ago and she has progressed nicely since.

"She went really well at her first start," said Moroney, "although she was a bit green and a little slowly away. Hopefully this time she can jump and put herself right into the race - if she does she should prove hard to toss."

Sunday is Ballarat Cup Day and we saddle up Shenzhou Steeds in the $200,000 Listed feature.

Set for this race after a game and somewhat unlucky third in the Kyneton Cup, the tough five-year-old has - Moroney admits - been up a while, but the 2200m of the Ballarat Cup looks ideal.

"I think it is his best distance," he said - pointing to Shenzhou Steeds' Listed Ipswich Cup victory over 2150m in June.

Earlier in the day imported galloper Picture Editor lines up in the 2200m handicap and he looks ready to find his best form at his fourth run in.

Good when beaten only 3.7 lengths over 1800m at Flemington last time out, the son of Dansili is expected to run boldly with Jamie Mott (who also rides Shenzhou Steeds) aboard.

"We have been really happy with him and we'd be pretty disappointed if, on the strength of his recent work and a couple of gear changes we've made he doesn't go close."

"It looks a really winnable race for him."