Girls On Film kick starts weekend

The New Zealand form around promising mare Girls On Film was so strong that the lightly raced four-year-old was expected to win at her Australian debut at Benalla in early April.

Unfortunately she was beaten on that occasion but with the addition of blinkers the daughter of Pins displayed encouraging improvement and was impressive breaking her maiden at Bendigo on Friday.

Always travelling well outside the leader, the chestnut hit the front straightening and kicked clear to win by a soft two lengths.

"She worked well in between her first run and this one," reported jockey Jason Lyon who is taken with Girls On Film's style.

"Once I turned for home she quickened up nicely and won well - untouched."

Michael Moroney has always had plenty of time for Girls On Film who he describes as "pretty promising."

"She may be one of the horses we send to the Sydney stable," he continued, adding that she had good right-handed form in New Zealand.

A bargain $NZ25,000 purchase for Paul Moroney at the 2010 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale, Girls On Film - whose dam is a half-sister to the triple Gr.1 winning miler Regal Roller - is raced by him with Christopher Lawler, Sean Brown, Craig Lindberg, Patrick O'Rourke and Phillip Lindberg.

Hopefully the success of Girls On Film is a precursor to a good weekend as we have some very nice horses competiting at Flemington and Benalla on Saturday.

First up at headquarters is About Square who contests the Momentum Energy Smile Power Trophy after a smart first up victory at Sale.

"We have been really happy with him," Moroney said, "but he will need a bit of luck as it is a big task from the draw (barrier 15)."

In the following race, the Go Green Handicap, Spitfire Lady is expected to improve on a last start 13th in a race not run to suit.

"She was on a hot pace there and we are looking for a much better run this time as she comes in dangerously at the weights with Chad Schofield's claim."

We saddle up two horses in the final event at Flemington, the Flemington Green Fields Handicap.

Unfortunately both - Saint Or Sinner and Epic Choice - have drawn awkwardly but forward showings are expected.

"Both are promising staying types," he said, confident that the step up to 2000m will prove in their favour.

We also have two runners in the second race at Benalla, the Greta West Stud Maiden Plate over a mile - If It Don't Fit and Think To Myself.

"If It Don't Fit is a really nice young staying horse - he may not be strong physically yet but he won't stay a maiden for long."

"Think To Myself was a bit disappointing as favourite last start but we are hoping the longer trip will seem him find his best form."

Quarterbar ran an even race first up and is second up in the Ryan & McNulty BM72 Handicap.

Always well regarded, the lightly raced son of Oratorio is, says Moroney "a really nice horse whose little niggling problems have stopped him reaching his full potential."

"He still has scope for improvement and will be better over further," he said, "but he is a quality horse and it would be no surprise if he could win."