Gr.1 racing action in New Zealand

Stable favourite Sarrera kicks off his spring campaign at Hastings on Saturday, the nine-year-old contesting the Gr.1 Mudgway Stakes at his first run since a gallant sixth in the Singapore International Cup.

Whilst in great shape, the classy gelding has not won first up since debut and the 1400m is likely to prove too short - "he has a class edge," Michael Moroney said, "but he has not won at black type level under 2000m." The stable has a two pronged attack on the weight-for-age contest, Altered Image also taking his place. He can pull out a good run fresh and - as the winner of last spring's Levin Classic - he is already proven at Gr.1 level.

Earlier in the day imported mare Fairfield Flame makes her debut for the stable. Purchased last year at a Tattersall's sale by Paul Moroney, the daughter of Oasis Dream is a lightly raced stayer for whom high hopes are held.

"We are thinking of her as a Melbourne Cup type horse for next year," Moroney said. "This time around she will have a crack at the New Zealand cups." A winner of 2830m at Nottingham in the UK, Fairfield Flame was a 230,000 euro weanling and she boasts an outstanding pedigree. A half sister to the Hong Kong Gr.3 winner Industrial Success, she can boast amongst her relations the Gr.1 winners Naaqoos, Tamuro Cheery, Pilsudski, Fine Motion, Youmzain, Creachadoir and Gaily.

In Melbourne the Melbourne Cup bound Tinseltown kicks off his campaign in the Rokk Ebony Handicap over 1400m at Caulfield.

"It is a bit of a chore for him," Moroney said, "but it is a starting point for him."

A Gr.2 winner over 2200m in New Zealand, Tinseltown is a tough son of Pentire - sire of the stable's Melbourne Cup placegetter Xcellent.

Another staying type steps out at Sandown on Sunday, Redondo Beach looking close to a win after showing improvement at his last couple of starts. "He has been so much better at his last two," said Moroney - "he will run well."

Meanwhile at Geelong on Friday two nicely bred young horses make their debuts in the 1130m maiden. "They might need a bit more ground but they are both really nice horses so it will be interesting to see how they go."

Runholder, to be ridden by Mark Zahra, is a son of Exceed And Excel and the three times Group winning mare Frenetic. A half sister to the Gr.1 winner Fun On The Run, she is also dam of the Listed Murray Bridge Cup winner Mustaagel.

Marheta, to be ridden by Chris Symons, has drawn a little awkwardly but she is a nice type by Al Maher from the family of the Gr.1 mare Flitter. She caught Paul Moroney's eye at the Easter sales, secured for $70,000.

And another two debutants at Bendigo Saturday - Vegasherewecome in one division of the 1300m maiden and Absolutely Maybe in the other.

The former, a $47,500 Classic Sale yearling, is by the Danehill stallion Tiger Hill out of a half sister to the multiple Gr.1 winning stayer County Tyrone whilst Absolutely Maybe, a $100,000 Easter graduate is by Danzero out of the Gr.3 mare Natural Woman.