His Stocks Are Rising

It was great to see Rising Stock break through at metropolitan level during the week, the four-year-old not having the easiest of runs from an outside gate in the 1400m handicap but really toughing it out to the line.

Recording his second win in a row following a Bendigo success 13 days previously, Rising Stock has really turned the corner having always shown ability but at times wanting to do a few things wrong, losing a couple of races in the process.

At one stage the stable even recommended to his owners that he be moved on but everyone was keen to give him another chance and they proved to be right with the son of Tavistock now a five times winner of over $83,000 in stakes.

"He is not an overly big horse," Michael Moroney said, "and he was struggling a bit under the bigger weights but he has done well since we have stepped him up in class."

"He has had a couple of gear changes that have suited him and he has just kept getting better. It was a good effort today as he got to the front pretty early and he fought them all off."

It was a metropolitan double for Ballymore with just 15 minutes or so earlier Fortune Patch leading throughout to record a three length victory at Warwick Farm.

"He was very impressive," Moroney said of the lightly raced Not A Single Doubt four-year-old who has now won two of his six starts with plenty more to come.

In the meantime we hope there is more to come this weekend with a nice group of runners in three states.

Close to home at Moonee Valley we have Rhythm To Spare contesting the day's feature event, the Travis Harrison Cup.

Bound to appreciate a drop in class after tackling Gr.3 company in Adelaide last time out, the six-year-old has been a little below his best this time in but we are looking for a form turnaround now that he strikes a softer track.

"The only query would be is that it is his first run at Moonee Valley but we thought his last run was better and the rain affected track will suit him," said Moroney.

Meanwhile at Ipswich we have Serenade (pictured) favourite in the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic and she is certainly deserving of a black type victory having been stakes placed on three occasions.

"It looks the right race for her," Moroney enthused, "she is well weighted and has drawn well - she should prove hard to beat."

At Rosehill we have the well travelled import Sapphire Of Patch having his second start for us but on the back of his Rosehill run - 11th of 13 - back in late April our expectations are not high.

Our other NSW runner for the day is Golden Patch who lines up in a 1350m maiden at Newcastle. Whilst he looks a good chance on his form his prospects will be enhanced by any rain about.

Sunday is another busy day for the stable with three runners at Sale, kicking off with Daniela Rosa who resumes in the second event, a 1425m fillies race.

"She is a really nice filly with a good record. There should be a bit of give

in the track which will suit her and she did win impressively first up last time in.

Another nice young horse is Karpacz who has accepted to debut in the fourth race but barrier 12 is a tricky one. "We are still tossing up whether to run or not," Moroney said, adding that "he has trialled up nicely on wet tracks."

Later in the day we have Barnsley in the 1012m race and he looks close to another win following two solid runs since his maiden victory at Wangaratta in late April.

"He has drawn out wide but there is just the one turn at Sale and he is another who has raced well on soft going."