Octavia leads weekend charge

It is a quiet Winter weekend for Ballymore with just three runners kicking off with classy filly Octavia (pictured) at Caulfield.

Lining up in an early event - the Yarra Valley Farms Plate, the second race on the card, Octavia strips fitter for a more than encouraging first up run at Moonee Valley a couple of weeks ago.

On that occasion beaten only narrowly by the in-form She Can Skate, Octavia cost herself that day by laying in - a trait she has unfortunately always displayed.

"If she'd gone straight she would've won," Michael Moroney rued, but he was still extremely pleased with her effort at her first run since early February.

"We have been really happy with her and this looks a nice race for her," he said, adding that he hopes a gear change will help her keep a straighter path in the run home.

Drawn nicely in barrier six, Octavia will be ridden by 3kg claiming apprentice Kayla Nisbet.

Awesome Goal is our second Caulfield runner, the consistent three-year-old taking his place in the fourth event, the Ascend Sales Trophies Handicap.

Unfortunately he has not drawn as well (barrier 15) as Octavia but he does have the services of champion rider Luke Nolen.

An impressive maiden winner at Wodonga two starts ago - and again close up at his most recent outing at Cranbourne, the son of Pentire would appreciate any rain if it happens to fall.

"Any amount of rain would help," said Moroney, adding that Awesome Goal is "going really well and looking terrific."

Our third runner for the weekend is Girls On Film who races in the Le Pines Funerals Plate - race eight on Sunday's Sandown card.

"She wants wet ground," Moroney said, adding that the Pins mare found the going "a little bit firm" for her liking at Flemington last time out.

Still managing a close up fifth, Girls On Film has pleased in her progress since - "she has trained on really well, we can't fault her."