He is hard to Surpass!

Surpass has not been in Australia for long but all he has done is impress – the exciting five-year-old winning both local outings in eye-catching fashion.

Saluting by 5¼ lengths at Sandown late last month, the New Zealand bred son of Savabeel rose a little in class at Mornington on Tuesday and was again too good.

Whilst the margin of 2¼ lengths was not as wide, the win was perhaps all the stronger with not all going to plan during the running.

Doing a bit of early work, Surpass ended up in a perfect spot with cover only to run into trouble before the turn – tightened and for a stride or two copping come buffeting.

But he quickly picked himself up, gaining momentum as he straightened and then simply racing away.

“Usually when a horse runs into trouble before the turn at a track like Mornington he is done and dusted,” Michael Moroney said.

“To find trouble like that and then pick himself up to sprint home was a very good effort.”

Surpass faces another rise in class at his next outing, the Ansett Stakes at Mornington – his experience at the track bound to place him in good stead.

Surpass is part of a recent winning run for Ballymore, one which we hope will continue over the weekend.

We take just the one runner to Moonee Valley on Saturday but he is a horse in form – the talented import Picture Editor.

Coming off a particularly tough win in Adelaide – where he found plenty after a less than ideal run in transit – the Dansili six-year-old will be partnered by Dwayne Dunn in the 1PRINT.COM.AU Handicap.

“He has been up a while,” Moroney said, “and he may be heading towards the end of his preparation but he seems really well and that was a pretty good win last start.”

Picture Editor’s Adelaide success has prompted us to head back to Morphettville this weekend with Savvy Dancer lining up in the SA with Cosi Handicap.

Not disgraced at his last couple in Melbourne, the six-year-old has however been below his best since coming over from New Zealand – his form there full of merit.

“I keep saying it but he only has to bring that form to the races to prove hard to beat,” said Moroney – adding that the prospect of a wet track is no deterrent with Savvy Dancer a two times slow track winner in New Zealand.

On Sunday we take three nice horses to the Seymour meeting with Irish Ransom kicking off our day in the opening event – a 1300m maiden.

“He is a horse we have always liked,” Moroney said of the Handsome Ransom four-year-old who has run nicely at his first two outings.

Fourth at his Ballarat debut back in April, he resumed with a sixth behind in-form stable mate Malan at that same track last month – getting a bit too far back off a tardy start.

“It is unlike him to be slowly away,” Moroney said, “but it was a good run – he made up nice late ground and the step up to 1300m on Sunday will suit. He should run well.”

As should Shimmering Star who races in the third event, a 1400m maiden.

A solid fifth at her Sale debut over 1200m last month, the daughter of Astronomer Royal has progressed nicely since.

“I think she will be an even nicer horse in the autumn but she will be better for that debut run and she should prove hard to toss.”

Malan, who sees out our weekend when contesting the final event at Seymour – a 1300m ratings handicap – is another horse in with a great winning chance.

Winning his last two at Ballarat in easy style, the lightly raced four-year-old is highly regarded by the stable.

“He is still doing a bit wrong,” Moroney explained, “but he is in flying form and we have always thought him a city class horse.”