Spitfire Lady Fires

It is a shame, says Michael Moroney, that talented filly Spitfire Lady (pictured), is just not a bit bigger.

"I am confident that if she was a hand bigger she would be Group class," he said of the "tiny" but gutsy Hussonet filly who recorded a tough victory at Sale on Thursday.

"She has realy ability," he continued, "but her lack of size is always going to hinder her - although I am sure she can win in town at some stage."

Raced by R & C Legh Racing Pty Ltd (manager Rupert Legh), Liberato Petagna, Grant Devonport and the ARK Syndicate, Spitfire Lady - because of her size - was a bargain $30,000 purchase at the Melbourne Premier Sale.

A filly with a future at stud, she is a daughter of Ballymore's Gr.3 Doomben Classic winner Galroof - also dam of the stakes winners Pinnacles and Sabrage.

A three times winner from just ten starts, Spitfire Lady was ridden for the first time by apprentice Brodie Loy who was confident throughout.

"She travelled really well," he said, "and she let down nicely - she was just too good for them."

Hopefully the stable's recent good run of form can continue over the weekend as we saddle up runners at Sandown, Rosehill and Eagle Farm.

In Melbourne our first runner is About Square who takes his place in the Australia's Best Pie Competition 2013 Handicap.

Catching the eye with a strong late finish when fourth at Flemington last time out, the three-year-old strips hard fit at his fourth run back from a spell.

"We have been really happy with him," said Moroney.

"He doesn't have much wet track form but we think he will handle it. We added the blinkers this week and he has been working very, very well in them."

Lordoftheparrots steps up to 2100m second up in the Le Pines Funerals Plate and whilst he has shown a liking for rain affected going, he may well benefit from the run.

"He usually finds form quickly," Moroney said, "but now that he is a bit older he may just take that one more run to come to hand."

The in-form Girls On Film is the final of our Sandown trio, shooting for her third win on end in the Le Pines Funeral Handicap.

"With Jackie Beriman's claim she comes in really well at the weights," Moroney said, "and she looks ready for the 1400m."

The Last Shower is our sole Eagle Farm runner on Saturday but she is in the big one - the $400,000 Group One Queensland Oaks.

Currently quoted at cricket score odds, the New Zealand bred filly does not want too much rain about but should the track be around the dead mark she can, says Moroney, run a nice race.

"She is better than a 100-1 shot," he said, adding that since her Australian debut her "work has improved out of sight."

Stepped up in distance at each run this preparation, the Cecconi filly has, Moroney said "had a good preparation for an Oaks."

Savvy Dancer and Don Carlos are our two Rosehill runners and they contest the same race, the BAC Systems Handicap.

"Savvy Dancer's first up run was good enough," Moroney said - noting that the gelding was doing his best work late on a track suiting the on-pacers - "and if he brought his New Zealand form with him he'd prove very hard to beat."

Don Carlos, described by Moroney as "a lovely horse" can also prove competitive should he race to his best UK form.

"He has had a few little issues since we bought him but he seems good at the moment and his first up run from a very long spell was very good."