Flemington Finals Day

It is not an especially busy weekend for Ballymore but we are hoping it will be a successful one with a couple of well credentialled runners at Flemington on Saturday.

In-form stayer Picture Editor (pictured) is the first of the duo, the last start Morphettville winner taking his place in the Banjo Paterson Series Final.

Drawn nicely in barrier six in the $120,000 event, the imported six-year-old has struck a strong field but Michael Moroney is expecting the gelding’s usual honest effort.

“He is up in class but he is going well,” he said, noting that Picture Editor has the services of champion rider Glen Boss.

Lining up in the day’s feature event, the Listed Winter Championship Finale, Murcielaga has not fared so well in the barrier draw – Jake Noonan to steer the four-year-old from gate 14.

On his best form the son of Testa Rossa would, says Moroney, prove “hard to beat” but the gelding was recently struck down by an ailment we just could not get to the heart of.

“He just wouldn’t eat for a couple of weeks,” Moroney said, adding that a variety of veterinary tests were carried out – “but it remains a mystery.”

“We just couldn’t find anything wrong with him but whatever it was did knock him around a bit.”

Below his best at his most recent outing, Murcielaga has however returned to normal at home.

“We are hoping for an improved run,” Moroney said.

We have two runners on different tracks on Sunday – taking Zazparella to Sandown and Flashy Fella to Warracknabeal.

Whilst she has drawn out very wide, Zazparella will be ridden by Glen Boss and she is in great form winning tow of her last three.

“She is just one of those mares who keeps winning,” Moroney said.

“She has come through her last win really well and she looks a picture – she is in-form and thriving.”

Ryan Maloney takes the ride on Flashy Fella who has drawn well – barrier three – in the Warracknabeal Cup with a step up 2000m second up Moroney’s main concern.

“Ideally we didn’t want to step him up so quickly but we just couldn’t find a suitable race for him.”

“He had a good blow after his first up run and we have put the work into him since and he should improve.”