Moonee Valley Racing Tips
Track: Good 4. Rail: Out 3m entire circuit
Best Bet: Race 1 – MELLORS
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Race 1: Maiden Plate 1600m
MELLORS (3) has been runner-up at 4 of hos 5 career starts and connections must be getting frustrated. He obviously has the talent, all four of those placings were here in Oz after debuting in NZ. He has been very costly for punters, gets the addition of the blinkers first time and will be on the speed for a long way. Expect him to be well backed and to lead and give a sight.
Dangers:
MACLAIREY (2) has faced the starter 9 times for 5 placings, he obviously has the ability as well but maybe a bit camera shy. He put in a couple of average runs before a nice one at Kyneton where he looked home. This may not be his race but he won’t retire a maiden. RAKAU WHERO (5) has only been fair in two runs since coming from NZ but can improve and TAIKUN WARRIOR (6) gets a couple of gear changes after dumping the rider last start. Stick with the top pick, he looks the best of the day.
Race 2: BM64 Handicap 1200m
SWEET SNITTY (6) won on debut, he has placed at both runs this time in, both of those much harder races than this. He has tactical speed so he should be up on the bunny early, if he can lead or control the speed from the spot outside the leader, he will be hard to beat.
Dangers:
OCEAN DEEP (5) won his first two starts before going for a spell, he was ok resuming then ran on nicely at start four. He has since been to the paddock again, he will appreciate being back in this grade after tackling much harder races last time in. BLINDER (8) looks the only other winning chance, he was a solid winner on debut racing close to the speed. This is harder but he looks up to it. BRITISH ISLE (9) next best but a place hope only.
Race 3: Fillies and Mares BM70 Handicap 1000m
I AM QUEEN (3) is drawn poorly again, her run at Mornington last start was super after coming very wide and running on hard. She has had 6 weeks off and comes right back in trip to the 1000m, she will be giving them a start but with the right cart into it, she can get the momentum up out wide off the bend.
Dangers:
FREEZE OVER (4) is consistent and also resuming, she will be giving them a start, the problem is the wide draw and she just may be the horse giving I Am Queen the cart into it. LA MAESTRA (5) is very speedy and will lead for a long way from the good draw. WORLD OF HOPE (7) has been settling back but from the good draw she may be a little closer and if ridden for luck, can run into a place.
Race 4: BM70 Handicap 1600m
BENNY GOES BERZERK (4) has been up for a while but with the right draw and the Weir/Allen combo, he will be running on hard. He may just need a little luck getting the run off that inside draw, but if the splits come, look for him late.
Dangers:
ESHTIRAAK (5) has been very consistent this time in, his first two he was posted on a limb and didn’t shirk the task before being perfectly ridden to beat the top selection last time. He has the wide draw to overcome so he won’t get that soft run so he looks a good risk as he will have to work at some stage. GOING GAGA (6) rarely runs a bad race, he would have been the top selection had it not been for the horror draw. He can still win, but it will need to be a peach of a ride. GET YA KICKS (9) will find this harder than his last start win across the border, but the way he savaged the line was impressive. If the speed is on, look for him again late, he may be the knockout horse.
Race 5: BM64 Handicap 955m
RODDANDTODD (5) once again maps well, he likes to get that soft run as he doesn’t have a brilliant turn-of-foot, but he can sustain that high speed throughout. With any luck he looks an each-way moral.
Dangers:
I AM SOMEONE (4) is resuming, he will find this a lot easier than what he was racing last start. He would have been the top selection but for the horror draw, he has tactical speed but you sense that he is going to be very wide throughout. AIRINO (7) is speedy and resumed with a front-running win across the border over 900m. He should be there for a long way. BONNEY (8) is another that is hurt by the bad draw, he has speed but he will need to be used up early.
Race 6: BM70 Handicap 3000m
TRULY HIGH (11) has been up for a very long time but is racing very consistently. He has placed at his last five runs since his last win, he will be giving them a start but the 3000m looks right up his alley after running on strongly over shorter trips.
Dangers:
ASCOT RED (6) had no luck here last time after getting shuffled out of it at a vital time, he should go forward and be on the speed for a long time. PRINCE ALBY (10) has the poor draw and is on the back-up from Cup Day, he was only fair in the run home but looks better suited back on the good track. PENTHOUSE PLAYBOY (12) will find this harder than last start when runner-up, he is very one-paced, as are most of these.
Race 7: BM78 Handicap 2040m
SNIPFIT (1) was double figure odds here a fortnight ago when leading throughout for a dominant win at this track and trip, Sure, he has to carry an extra 2.5 kgs off that impressive win, but if he can find the top again, he will be hard to run down.
Dangers:
ROYAL ORDER (5) has been super at both runs this prep, the race he came through when resuming has been a super form reference and he punished them last time when running on hard. If the speed is on, look for him late. RUOMAZA (6) has not missed a place in his 5 start career, he was held-up at a vital stage at Geelong last time before running on hard to only be beaten a length. CALIBRATION (9) will go forward but he looks a good risk if he starts favourite as he may have to work and won’t get the front as he pleases.
Race 8: BM78 Handicap 1200m
SATORI (1) has good tactical speed, he has one of the best in the business for riding on-pacers in Linda Meech aboard and will be hard to run down. He has not missed a place in 7 career starts, he will find this easier than races that he has been very competitive in lately, but has the big weight to carry.
Dangers:
FREEHEARTED (3) drops a stack in class after being well beaten in the Tristarc last start, if she can find her form from earlier in the prep she will be very hard to beat. I DID IT AGAIN (6) gets the blinkers for the first time, he will race up on the speed but looks a good risk after having every chance last time. He will need everything to go his way. PREVAILING WINDS (5) was held-up at a vital stage last start but did appear to have his chance late. He usually runs his best races early in his preparation, so if he doesn’t do it here, get off him the rest of the prep.