Moonee Valley Racing Tips
Track: Good 4. Rail: Out 3m entire circuit.
Best Bet: Race 8 – GREYWORM
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Race 1: 2YO Maiden Plate 1000m
Obviously there is a stack of unknowns here with the babies opening the card. AUXIN (1) was good on debut up the straight when placing, LANKAN STAR (7) is resuming off an 11-week break, she also placed on debut up the straight. Watch for any money for those on debut, particularly I AM (6) and HULK (3). Tough race and obviously there will be better spots to target later in the card.
Race 2: BM78 Handicap 2500m
THE GATTING BALL (3) doesn’t win out of turn but he is very consistent. He has been up for a very long time which is a little concerning, his run here in late December was good in a similar race that has had two subsequent winners come from it.
Dangers:
NEGASI (4) has really turned the corner of late with wins at three of his last four runs. He is likely to be on the speed in the small field, will probably want to kick through early off the inside draw and lead. TOP OF THE RANGE (1) gets the blinkers off for the first time, he is likely to be giving them a start but looks suited by the small field. PRINCE HLODOWIG (2) next best, he beat home the top selection last time but meets him worse at the weights this time.
Race 3: VOBIS Gold Carat 3YO 1200m
COLUMBUS CIRCLE (3) could not have been more impressive on debut, he started favourite and was held-up at a vital stage, before exploding late for an easy win. He looks to be well above average and will only need to reproduce that effort from his debut to be winning here.
Dangers:
BEERZ WITH CLINT (4) won his maiden here two starts back very comfortably, went to the sales restricted race up the straight and ran on well in a part of the track that may not have been the best going. HAWKSHOT (1) over-raced at Sandown last time but was still too strong in the run home. A little worrying off the inside draw having never been here previously and may just need an ounce of luck. RICH ITCH (8) is still a maiden but has good tactical speed and may be the leader, he stuck on well when in that role here last time in an easier race.
Race 4: BM70 Handicap 1000m
PRIVATE LOUNGE (6) has not been seen at the races for more than a year which is a little concerning, she has not missed a placing in her 5 career starts. She bolted in by 5 when last at the races against the girls last Spring, she has the ability I just a matter of where she is at after such a long break. She must have had her fair share of problems, the late money will give a better indication if she is ready to go or not.
Dangers:
AS IT LIES (7) won by 5 when resuming but has been a little enigmatic since, she should be able to cross and lead and will be hard to catch. VILLA SARCHI (5) resumed with a soft win at Sandown where he sat back and came with one run. He maps well and should be charging late with the right tow into it. MAKAHU BOY (2) is the other that will be looking for the front, his chances will rely on getting to the fence first.
Race 5: Fillies and Mares BM78 Handicap 955m
MISS NORWAY (1) has good tactical speed but looks better suited here ridden just off the pace. She was a good winner over the 1000m here two back when ridden that way before leading and over-racing when beaten at Caulfield last time in a harder race.
Dangers:
LEFT JAYBEE OUT (4) is very speedy and should be able to use the inside gate to her advantage. Her only poor run this campaign was last time she contested a race at this track and distance, she gets the good claim as well. FREEZE OVER (5) is consistent this prep but may have to sit wide throughout and looks a good lay if starting at the top of the market. GIRLS GOT SPIRIT (6) is an interesting runner, she has won three of her four starts but hasn’t been seen at the races in 9 months. Look for any late money for her to see where she is at in regards to her fitness.
Race 6: BM70 Handicap 1600m
What a tough race and can possible be a field job for Quaddie players. ABERRO (10) was only fair when resuming but that was a hot form race, he then went to Geelong and ran on well late to get up on the line. WETAKEMANHATTAN (9) was only fair at Flemington but there have been four subsequent winners come out of that race, so it could be a good formline to follow. SILVERHAWK (6) comes through that same race, he was only fair up on the speed and will go forward from the wide gate. A host of other chances, CARRAIG AONAIR (4) may improve with the blinkers on again and is a winner at his only run at the track. Play wide!
Race 7: Australia Stakes WFA 1200m
WHISPERING BROOK (9) is a winner at both runs this campaign, both of those were up the straight at Flemington. She will find this her toughest test with some seasoned campaigners opposing her, she gets the gun draw and Zahra should have all the options early with her tactical speed.
Dangers:
MALAGUERRA (4) isn’t officially first-up, but he has not been seen at the races in 7 weeks since placing in the Winterbottom in Perth last time. He flies fresh and is a winner at the tack previously. REDKIRK WARRIOR (2) is all class, although he has not won in a long time, he has been racing the best of the best. He went to the UK to tackle the world’s best sprinters last year before a fair effort up the straight at Flemington. He resumes today and the winkers go off. BRAVE SMASH (1) is resuming, he won the Manikato here two starts back before running on hard up the straight to end Cup week. A little concerning that he has not won in 7 career first-up runs, but he has placed in 5 of them.
Race 8: BM70 Handicap 1200m
If we had to play wide earlier in the Quaddie, this is where we can increase the percentage by going one out with GREYWORM (9). The lightly raced 4YO grey is resuming, now with the Hawkes team, he led throughout in both of his wins and should have the speed to cross early. If he is ready to go fresh off a 27-week break, he will be winning this and looks to have plenty of upside.
Dangers:
I would say none if the money comes for him. EDUCATE (10) was good resuming but may have just run out of condition late, GOT THE MOVES (11) is a little enigmatic and drawn poorly, but he comes through a good form race at Flemington where he was runner-up in which there have been two subsequent winners from that race. ABSOLUTE (5) is an interesting runner that changes stables and comes south to the Weir camp. He has won fresh previously, look for any money for him.