Moonee Valley Racing Tips
Track: Good 4. Rail: Out 5m entire circuit.
Best Bet: Race 3 – CHEVAUX
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Race 1: 3YO BM64 Handicap 1000m
MORE BRICKS (1) is resuming, he had five starts at his first campaign and after winning on debut, he was consistent after that without having a lot of luck. He looks suited by the small field, I wouldn’t be taking red figures about him but he deserves favourtism. The small field suits and luck shouldn’t be a factor.
Dangers:
ICON (3) is resuming, he is still a maiden and was costly for punters at his first two runs, watch for any money for him fresh. RIVERINA DANCER (5) is a little inconsistent, she has had 6-weeks off between runs, has a stack of speed and will probably be the leader. MISCHA (6) is the other one that will be contesting the lead, she was a drifter as favourite last start but dominated to get her first win.
Race 2: Maiden Plate 1200m
ELUSIVE MELODY (12) was beaten by an impressive winner last time, the horse that finished 7th in that race has since come out and won as well so the form looks to be holding up well. She has the tactical speed to be handy, she just needs some cover to hit the line hard.
Dangers:
CHORUS (11) is an interesting runner that has changed stables, formerly with Joe Pride, she has come south to join the Symon Wilde team. She had shown speed with the old yard, the betting may be the best indicator with her. SCIPIO (7) has been runner-up at his last couple, and has speed, this looks easier than what he has been racing. PLENTY (6) is resuming for Waller after being gelded during the break, he also has a few gear changes and it wouldn’t surprise to see him come back well.
Race 3: Class 1 Handicap 1200m
CHEVAUX (1) gets the blinkers for the first time, he has been placed at three of four this campaign and his run two back was super in a race that has been proven as a great form reference. He will be up on the speed and very hard to run down, the blinkers may be the difference.
Dangers:
INSTITUTION (3) resumed last time in SA, he looked to have his chance up on the speed but was left a little flat footed when the winner went for home. He kept coming late and will be better for the run, this stable must always be respected when bringing one here. LUCABELLE (4) is resuming here, he was a super maiden winner before going for a break after not having much luck at his first two career runs. Watch the betting for any confidence in his return to the track. JUTHOOR (5) went to Adelaide to get his maiden win last time, he was beautifully ridden but you would have liked him to have won by further such was the good run he had.
Race 4: 3YO Fillies BM64 Handicap 1200m
SOLAR STAR (1) notched up win number two last start in a similar race to this after leading all the way. With the good claim she only has to carry an extra half a kilo so if the track is playing like it has been the last weeks, up on the speed she will be hard to run down.
Dangers:
LADY VEGA (3) was big odds when wining on debut last start, she was strong through the line when running on hard and that race has proved a good form reference. If the speed is on, she can run on all over the top. SIERRA ZULU (4) is the stablemate to Lady Vega, she also won on debut before running on hard last time and will appreciate the extra trip here. BOLD ARIAL (10) has only had two starts since coming to the Ciaron Maher stable, she bolted in last time to win her maiden but this is obviously harder. Expect that the money will come for her.
Race 5: BM84 Handicap 955m
EXPERIMENTATION (10) is another of the astute Will Clarken stable heading here, both his runs in SA have been good since resuming, the latest he was a heavily backed favourite when placing. He will not be the leader but if he can get cover he should be the strongest at the back-end of the short course.
Dangers:
MATTY (9) is beautifully drawn, has speed but just may need a little luck getting the run late. If the fence is on fire, he will be hard to beat. NODOUBTABOUTIT (7) contested an easier version of one of these three weeks ago, she only narrowly went down after being balked for a run at the top of the straight. ANGRY GEE (4) is an interesting runner that is resuming off a long spell, he was a winner here over this trip when last at the races, he has a good first-up record but would just like to see some money for him before diving in.
Race 6: BM64 Handicap 1000m
A capacity field over the 1000m is not going to make this an easy race to assess, SCAPPARE (10) had no luck here last start over the 6 furlongs, she was checked mid-race than held-up late. She is coming back to the 1000m which should be ideal, the speed should be on and she maps to get the right run. Look for her late.
Dangers:
Plenty. MOOR WANTED (5) is having his first go at the Valley, he won a BM64 last start after being well ridden in a race where he wasn’t really suited by the tempo. He has some tactical speed, if he gets cover, he is a chance, but if he has to sit outside the leader it may be too tough with the likely pressure that will be applied. DENNIS (4) was beaten out of sight in a much harder race up the straight on the last day of the carnival, he was racing consistently before that and back in this grade looks hard to beat, hopefully the confidence is still there. OUR GLADIATOR (1) ticks a few boxes, she is resuming and has won 2/4 when fresh and has also won at the track. She still has to lump 60.5 kgs after the claim which is a little concerning but if she can do that, she looks well in this grade.
Race 7: BM64 Handicap 2040m
CLEO’S POET (9) has been good at all three runs this time in, he will be the leader, it’s just a matter of whether he can run out a strong 2000m. He bolted in at Yarra Valley two back and then stuck on ok last time after being headed. He just needs that cheap section through the middle to run out the last 100m.
Dangers:
SMOKIN’ PIERRO (10) was sent to Sydney last time and was down the track in a much harder race, always well back he never got into the race and failed to run on. He has been racing well in his two previous runs this campaign, he looks better suited back in this grade. SO YOU LEICA (8) should be nearing peak fitness here third-up, she has been running through the line well over unsuitably shorter distances the last couple. She will certainly run the trip out. READY FOR SUCCESS (7) drops a stack in grade, he will be fitter for that run on Oaks Day and will keep grinding home.
Race 8: Fillies and Mares BM70 Handicap 1600m
As usual we are left with the lottery for the girls to try and get out or collect in the Quaddie, another open affair as you would expect. GUIPURE (4) has good tactical speed, the jock will have the option to lead or take a sit off the good draw. She was good at Flemington in a harder race last time and is never far away. She looks an each-way bet to nothing if you can get those odds about her, she is so consistent.
Dangers:
It would be hard not to make a case for all of them. LADY CROMAC (5) drops in grade but has been up a long while which is a little concerning, PALMATEER (6) comes through the same race as the top selection and will find this easier, she hit the line well that day. PLAY THAT SONG (7) is a winner third-up as she is tonight, she will be giving them a start but will run on hard.