Ballymore's second Melbourne Cup?

Melbourne Cup Day rapidly approaches and everyone at Ballymore is excited about the prospects of our runner Voleuse De Coeurs in the big race.

Whilst she has drawn a little awkwardly out in barrier 21, there looks to be a bit of pace drawn around her so hopefully she will get into a good position for James McDonald.

Michael Moroney has been thrilled in which the way the mare has settled in at Werribee since her arrival from Ireland on Caulfield Cup weekend.

“She is a really lovely mare who takes everything into her stride,” he said.

Rapt to have the five-year-old in the stable with Paul Moroney first spotting her as a likely prospect in April last year, Michael has been impressed with Voleuse De Coeurs’ attitude.

“Nothing seems to bother her and she has eaten so well since she has been here,” he said, adding that the mare has put on a healthy 15kg during her stay in quarantine.

Unbeaten from her two starts at the two miles of the Melbourne Cup, Voleuse de Coeurs has shown herself to be capable on any sort of going and Moroney is confident of a bold showing.

“We just need a Kerrin McEvoy ride from James McDonald,” he laughed – noting that Ballymore’s 2000 Melbourne Cup winner jumped from an even wider gate, 22.

Hopefully by the time the Cup rolls around we will already be in celebratory mode with our two mares in earlier races – Crimson Lady and Spitfire Lady – both in fine fettle leading up to their Cup Day assignments.

Lining up in the second event, the TAB Rewards Trophy, Crimson Lady has drawn nicely in barrier three for Craig Williams and she strips fitter for two encouraging runs back from a spell.

“Both her runs this time in have been really good,” said Moroney, “and she has been a little bit unlucky.”

“She didn’t come up during her last campaign but we have been really happy with her this time around and she looks suited stepping up to 1700m.”

Spitfire Lady also fared well in the barrier draw – gate two for Darren Gauci, and she too is nicely primed at her third run back from a spell.

Taking her place in the Lavazza Short Black, the small but courageous mare has been close up at both of her runs this preparation – “she has been really good,” Moroney reported.

“She was done right in the last stride last time out and she has progressed well since – she should prove hard to beat.”

Thanks to everyone who attended out popular annual Owner’s Day at the Flemington stables today and best of luck to everyone on racing’s biggest day!