Debutant Denison heads our weekend charge

It has taken five-year-old Denison a while to get to the track but we are hoping the promising gelding kicks off his racing career in good style at Moonee Valley on Friday night.

Carrying the number one saddlecloth in the opening event, a 1200m maiden, the son of the well related former shuttler Denon has suffered a few set-backs during his career but has always been well regarded.

"He has always been a horse we've liked," Michael Moroney said, "but it has taken some time for him to get to the track - he kept pulling muscles and he has had a bone chip out."

He has however, Moroney added, shown good ability - "which is why we are happy for him to have his first start in a city maiden."

A wide gate is of "some concern" for Denison but he has the services of Steven Arnold and a bold showing would not surprise.

Meanwhile we are looking for an improved showing from the good mare Jelly Baby who has been a little below her best this time in.

"Glen Boss reported that she was making a bit of a noise after her Sandown run," Moroney said - adding that the five-year-old has had a series of tests with no major problems detected.

"We will race her in a cross over nose band and hopefully that will do the trick - if she takes her best form to Moonee Valley she'd prove hard to beat."

The last of our three Friday night runners is the up-and-coming stayer Tristram's Sun who looks suited by a step up in distance in the third event, a 2040m maiden.

Close up when fourth and third at his first two starts over shorter trips at Bendigo and Sale, the son of good staying stallion Yamanin Vital is likely to head to the paddock after this run - his best still ahead of him.

"He is a nice staying horse," said Moroney. "He is still a preparation away but he shows ability and if he gets around Moonee Valley he should prove hard to toss."

The talented Muirfield is our only runner at Flemington on Saturday and we are confident of a forward showing.

"He ran nicely over this trip (2000m) at Caulfield last start and the bit of rain about really helps him."

"This is the first time in a while he has gone to the races without things going wrong in the lead-up and he looks to have a fair bit in his favour."