Octavia kicks off a festive week

Ballymore kicked off a busy racing period with a great win by Octavia at Moonee Valley on Thursday evening - the three-year-old impressive recording her second victory from just four starts.

Jumping fast from her outside gate, the daughter of Holy Roman Emperor was always travelling well in the lead for Tom Sadler - kicing at the turn and holding onto a very good margin of 1 3/4 lengths.

"She gave me a push button ride," Sadler said - "she quickened easily and was very impressive - she has much better things in store."

Always well regarded by the stable, Octavia - named after the sister of the first Roman Emperor - is raced by Ballymore Stables (manager Michael Moroney), David & Delwyn Trubshoe, Rodney Johnston, Paul Moroney, Paul & Sharon Walker, Robert & Rosalie Rice, Anthony Rice, Charles Bontorno, Maurice Baker, Janice Golinski and O.R & Carly Sparkes.

A $42,000 purchase for Paul Moroney, she is agranddaughter of the Group One Karrakatta Plate winner Paklani.

(Thanks to Darryl Sherer for the great photo of Octavia's win!)

Moonee Valley races again on Friday night and we take two runners to the meeting - the three-year-old Game Of Thrones and the up-and-comer Point Made.

Given time to mature since his Caulfield debut over the winter, Game Of Thrones is bred to improve with maturity, being by Hard Spun from the family of Gr.1 sprinter Rubitano.

Coming off a strong last start victory at Warrnambool, the imported Point Made steps up to 2040m and another bold showing is expected with Nick Hall taking the ride.

We also take two horses to Flemington on Saturday - Between The Beats and Chilean Plume and we are hoping for a running double with the duo contesting the final two races on the programme.

A horse who always showed ability in New Zealand, Between The Beats finished on strongly to get up right on the line at Sandown three weeks ago - that run only his second for the Flemington stable.

Suited up at 2000m, he too will be ridden by Nick Hall.

Damien Thornton meanwhile takes the ride on Chilean Plume who rises in class after a strong maiden victory at Moonee Valley last start.

"This is a tougher race," Moroney conceded, "but he is a horse we've always had a bit of time for."

In other stable news we are pleased to have acquired the classy German stayer Araldo - a lightly raced and promising son of High Chaparral.

We of course trained one of that terrific stallion's first major Australian winners in the shape of Monaco Consul and we are looking forward to campaigning Araldo in the autumn and Queensland winter.

Ballymore wishes all of our clients and racing fans everywhere a very merry and successful Christmas and New Year!