Winter at Flemington

The Spring Carnival is not too far away but we are still very much in the midst of winter but hopefully we can warm ourselves up with some winners at Flemington on Saturday.

Contesting the opening event, the Simone Montgomerie Tribute, About Square who looks close to a win after finishing close up at his last two outings down the straight.

"It is a reasonable field," Michael Moroney admitted, "but a couple of the main horses to beat haven't had the straight practice he has had - and that should place him in good stead."

"He is going really well," he continued, hoping that the centre/outside of the track will be the place to be with Nicholas Hall and About Square to jump from barrier 12.

In-form mare Zazparella (pictured) takes her place in the third event, the Jimmy Demetriou & Brian Kelly Handicap.

Successful at two of her last three starts at Seymour and Sandown, Zazparella rises both in class and distance but Moroney is confident that she is up to the task.

"She has been having a really good season. We are mindful that she has had a bit of racing but her work has been good and she is in really well at the weights."

"Despite rising in grade we think she can prove pretty competititve."

Promising apprentice Patrick Moloney takes the ride and the pair are drawn to get a good run from the inside gate.

Zabisco resumes in the Lesley Viney & Colin McKnight Handicap - the son of Zabeel having his first run since late April.

"He hasn't got a great first up record," Moroney noted, "and the wet track probably won't help him. We expect him to improve upon whatever he shows."

Our fourth and final Flemington runner is Savvy Dancer who lines up in the eighth race, the Olga Nield & Scott Ridout Handicap.

A horse with excellent New Zealand form, he has been below his best in Australia but his latest Sandown run - without much luck - was an improvement.

Getting back and wide, the son of Savabeel looks suited up to 2000m and it is just a matter of him finding his right form - "at his best he'd be hard to beat," Moroney said.