Ballymore's Saturday - three cities

We are looking forward to a busy weekend including runners at three metropolitan meetings in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland on Saturday.

In the opening event at Caulfield - the Taralye - Listen, Learn, Speak Plate we are hoping for some scratchings with Epic Choice and If It Don't Fit being an emergency.

Drawing wide at Flemington last time out, the well-related Epic Choice (whose dam is a half-sister to Redoute's Choice) covered plenty of ground and that unplaced run is best forgiven.

"He had the toughest run in the race," Michael Moroney said.

"He was caught four wide throughout and still soldiered on well."

An impressive two length Bendigo winner at his previous outing, Epic Choice has plenty of natural ability and a much improved showing is expected.

Red Eye Special picked up late ground second up over 2000m at Caulfield last start and he looks suited up to 2380m in the Catanach's Jewellers Handicap at the same track.

"He is probably going to strip at his best now," Moroney said, adding that "there was merit to his last run."

"The pace didn't really suit him but he wasn't far of them."

Drawn nicely in barrier five, the Yamanin Vital six-year-old will be reunited with Darren Gauci and there is an air of confidence about him - "he looks pretty hard to beat," Moroney enthused.

Bonnie Mac (pictured) is our final Caulfield runner - due to take her place in the Responsible Gambling Awareness Week Handicap.

"She probably could've won at Listed level in Adelaide last start if Michael Walker had ridden her before," Moroney said of the tricky mare.

"There were races in New Zealand she was going to win by five lengths but after hitting the lead too early she'd just fall in."

"She is hopeless once she is alone in front - she ducks in and out and wanders all over the place!"

The classy mare is however, Moroney says, "going really well."

"With luck in running," he said, "she should prove hard to toss."

Feature racing heads to Doomben on Saturday and we are confident that the exciting Rhythm To Spare can measure right up in the Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes.

"He is jumping up from 1600m to 2200m," Moroney conceded, "but he has a lovely draw and he should get a nice soft run."

"Glen Boss was keen to follow him up here as he was taken with his win at Sandown last start."

"He was impressive that day," he continued, "and the bit of give in the track will suit him. He has right-handed form in New Zealand and really does look a leading chance."

Shenzhou Steeds also runs at Doomben, lining up in the Group 3 Premier's Cup - and an improved showing is expected at his fourth run this campaign.

"As he has got older he has just taken a little bit more racing," Moroney said, "but with that last run under his belt and a nice draw he should run a good race - he looks nicely placed."

Stopping in Sydney enroute to Brisbane for a crack at the Queensland Derby, Walloon Region will hopefully earn enough prizemoney in the Pixable Handicap at Randwick to ensure a run in the Group One winter feature.

Coming off smart victories at Seymour and Ballarat, the Danzero gelding has always been well regarded.

"He is one of our three-year-olds who we think will make the grade at four," Moroney said, adding that he "is a pretty promising horse who has a good turn of foot on rain affected going."

On Sunday we had to Cranbourne with another three runners and all in the same race! Should Epic Choice not sneak a run on Saturday he will take on Quarterbar and Poplin in the TJ Harrison Plate over 2025m.

Whilst still not 100% at just his second run back from a break, Quarterbar has nevertheless improved since his encouraging first up fourth at Benalla.

"We can see him running a very good race," said Moroney, hopeful that stablemate Poplin can also figure in the finish.

"She has been a bit of an enigma," he admitted - "just not racing up to her track work. But we have put ear muffs on her and stepped her up in distance so hopefully that will do the trick."