Saturday at Headquarters

A busy Flemington day awaits Ballymore Stables with the team represented by four runners at Headquarters. And we are hoping for a bit more rain with most of them appreciating the sting out.

The first of our quartet is Surpass who lines up in the second event, the Betty Moran & Gregory Nugent Handicap.

Stripping fitter for two encouraging efforts back from a spell, the six-year-old looks well in at the weights after a 3kg claim for apprentice Jordan Childs – and he has drawn nicely in barrier four.

“It is a handy field,” Michael Moroney noted, “but his two recent runs have been good. Any rain about would bring him right into contention.”

Hopefully we are celebrating a running double after the running of the third race, the Trevor Dray & William Neild Handicap in which Zazparella (pictured) takes her place.

To jump from barrier nine with 2kg claimer Patrick Moloney aboard, the in-form five-year-old is back a little in distance but hard fit.

“She is in terrific form,” Moroney enthused, “and it looks a nice race for her. If I had to pick one horse for the weekend it would be her.”

The fifth race, the Philip Hogan & Olga Neild Handicap, sees Marwood returning to Saturday class after two runs back from a wind operation.

Recording a barnstorming victory first up at Seymour, the talented four-year-old was then a beaten favourite when third at Sandown.

“He was slightly disappointing there,” Moroney said, adding however that the gelding will strip all the fitter.

“We have kept him to 1200m as he is not long back from a lengthy spell. It is his first time down the straight which is of some concern but he has been working well.”

Girls On Film, who races in the David Christopher & Joan Walker Handicap, is the last of our Flemington runners and she has drawn the inside gate for Glen Boss.

In the placings at both runs this time in, the chestnut is at her best on rain affected going and may not take her place if the track firms up.

“If it does rain she should prove very competitive.”

Our weekend rounds off with one runner at Moe on Sunday, Milkwood due to contest the Monacellars Handicap over 1628m.

To be ridden by Jake Noonan from barrier ten, the five-year-old is back slightly in distance but was a game second over the trip at the track two runs ago.

“We are not convinced she really stays so we have her back at the mile. She is working well and looking well,” Moroney said.