Prominent Ballymore runners line up for top weekend of racing

A busy weekend is on the cards for Ballymore runners this weekend with representatives to step out across three different tracks, including the highly rated Merion who lines up in the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude over 1400 on Sunday.

An impressive last start winner of the Listed Living Legends Stakes at Flemington, Merion goes into tomorrow’s race in great order, although a horror draw to overcome will certainly test the high flying son of O’Reilly.

“We’re really happy with him heading into Sunday, but unfortunately the bad draw is going to play against him. He will need plenty of luck,” said trainer Mike Moroney.

“We’ll be happy to see him run a nice race and, at the end of the day, the Caulfield Guineas is his Grand Final.”

Also running at Caulfield on Sunday is last season’s Group 3 RA Lee Stakes winner Rhythm to Spare who will be lining up in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes over 1400m.

“1400m is going to be too short for him in that class of field and we’ll be happy to see him doing his best work on the line,” said Moroney.

Strong last start winner About Square will be running in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes over 1200m with jockey Damien Lane engaged for riding duties.

“He jumps up in class here, but I have a lot of time for this horse and he is going well enough to be competitive.”

Sandown on Saturday presents another strong contingent of runners for Ballymore headlined by the exciting up and comer Marwood – another who Moroney has plenty of time for.

“I think he is the horse to beat in this field and he is going very well.”

Marwood has won three races from his eight career started, and he’ll be aiming to claim his fourth tomorrow in the Rating 90 event over 1300m.

Stable mate Famechon is on the ballot in the same event and while the horse shows plenty of promise, he may not get the chance to illustrate his ability.

“I’d love to see him get a run. He’s talented at best and would more then hold his own in a race like this,” Moroney said.

Should the rain come about, Ballymore’s representative Surpass will certainly come into calculations in his respective race after stringing some quality runs together.

Surpass boasts a fine record on surfaces ranging from dead to heavy as well as a tidy record over the distance.

“I’m confident he will run a trip and he has been racing very well of late. If there is any rain about he will be right up there as one of the main chances,” said Moroney.

Present Arms lines up in race 2 on the card at Sandown over 1500m resuming after a good spell.

“He is a nice stayer in the making and he’ll be doing his best work right at the business end of the race.”

The inform Nordic Duke is likely to head to Warwick Farm on Sunday, and following the 3kg from Brodie Loy, is a serious chance at the weights.

“He’s in good form and racing well. It’s a nice race for him and certainly a winnable one.”