A trio of weekend runners

Three nice chances for the stable this weekend, kicking off with St Culpe who contests the final event, The Legends After The Last Handicap, at Moonee Valley tonight.

Drawn nicely in barrier 8 with the services of Steven Arnold,. the good looking and talented gelding looks nicely primed third up from a long, injury enforced spell, and he ran a particularly good race at Flemington last start.

"He has trained on extremely well since that very good run," said Michael Moroney. "He steps up to the 1600m which will suit and he is close to peak fitness - he is a strong winning chance."

High hopes also for Butwaittheresmore at Sandown on Saturday, the tough gelding having run such a good race at Moonee Valley last start.

Taking his place in the Patinack Farm Handicap oiver 2400m with Craig Newitt to ride from barrier 2, he looks well placed.

"He showed good improvement last start," Moroney said, noting that "he is getting back to his best after returning from a tendon injury.:

"He has improved further since and if the track doesn't get to wet he is a good winning chance."

Later in the day Syndrome lines up in the Le Pines Handicap over 1800m - Lisa Cropp to ride from barrier 12.

"He has been a little disappointing at his last two," Moroney conceded, "but he has worked well and we are expecting him to run much better this time."