Moonee Valley Racing Tips
Track: Soft 5. Rail: Out 4M entire circuit
Best Bet: Race 7 – BRUTAL
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Race 1: BM90 Handicap 1200m
TULIP (6) has had 4 months on the sidelines and resumes today, she has won previously when racing fresh. She has been well beaten at her last two runs before going to the paddock but that was in Group racing and returns to a more suitable assignment here.
Dangers:
ICONOCLASM (5) should be up on the speed and is also resuming, he was consistent at his first and only prep. He has versatility but first-up he may find these a little too nippy. MERRIEST (4) may have just run out of condition late against the girls when resuming, EUSEBIO (3) is going for three straight and will get back, he has finished well at his last two from rearward positions in the run.
Race 2: BM78 Handicap 1600m
THE PASSAGE (13) has been so consistent this time in and was rewarded with a comfortable victory in easier grade last time, he settled mid-field before angling wide and running on hard. Although the winning margin was only a half-length, there was more than 4 lengths back to third. He should get a lovely run in transit and can handle the class rise.
Dangers:
PARAMUS BOY (11) will get back again from the wide draw, he ran on well from mid-field last start out wide but that was the place to be. He has been very consistent this time in. STRIKE FORCE (6) races well here at the track and has the tactical speed to lead for a long way. CURRAGH (1) gets some much-needed weight relief with the good claim, he has been ridden closer to the speed at his last two starts and it has paid off.
Race 3: 3YO Fillies Plate 1200m
MULTAJA (5) looks to be the real deal. She was a dominant winner on debut, sent straight to the paddock before resuming here three weeks ago. She was just off mid-field before making a long run very wide, took over half way down the straight and ran away for a comfortable win. She only needs to repeat that effort to remain undefeated.
Dangers:
METRONOME (8) has raced well here in the past before struggling up the straight last time against harder opposition. She should be right in behind the speed off the inside alley and may even lead for a long way. ENBIHAAR (1) is resuming, she was runner-up in the Blue Diamond before heading to Sydney last time, she over-raced and was beaten a long way from home. She resumes today and obviously has some class. CRISTAL EYES (7) was very short winning her maiden at Pakenham last start, she didn’t have it all her own way but showed her class with a soft win in the end. She can take the next step.
Race 4: BM78 Handicap 2500m
These lower level staying events are always a tough betting proposition, this is no different. PIONEERTOWN (3) has won two in a row, including last start here where he led all the way. He will be attempting to do the same today. VALAC (4) has also won two in a row, both on the synthetic track however and that doesn’t always bode well when coming to the grass. SERENADE THE STARS (2) had excuses last time after appearing in the steward’s report post-race with FONTEIN LAD (8) next best, he has been so consistent this time in. Nothing would surprise in this race.
Race 5: Mares BM84 Handicap 1200m
It gets no easier here and thankfully this race is not part of the Quaddie. CHIAVARI (1) gets in well with the clever claim, she was good in a similar race at HQ last time. She had the right run behind the leaders, a spot that she may end up with again here, stuck on well along the inside when the better going was out wider.
Dangers:
OUR MALAMBO (6) won its first Australian start after coming from NZ, then was only fair last time after a COT was applied to ride her closer. Expect that they will ride her further back here again from the wide gate and she looks an improver. OVERSTEP (9) is a little inconsistent but has the ability, she had no luck when beaten a length and a half last time in a similar race. She should settle mid-field, at her best she would win this. FREEHEARTED (11) won an easier race against the girls last time, she settled back before charging home late for a soft win in the end. Look for her late.
Race 6: Handicap 2040m
PACODALI (2) doesn’t have a lot of brilliance but that grinding pattern suits him well to this track. He will get back and make a long-sustained run, if that run is with cover he will keep coming late. He rarely runs a bad race and can handle all conditions.
Dangers:
OUR VENICE BEACH (1) looks the most interesting runner of the day, he is having his first Australian start for Lloyd Williams and was competing at the highest level in Europe. He hasn’t raced in almost a year, so he probably needs the run, but we have seen this stable succeed at this before. Expect that MORTON’S FORK (3) will be hustled along early from the wide gate and go forward, TRAP FOR FOOLS (5) rarely runs a bad race and also will be looking for the lead early.
Race 7: McKenzie Stakes 3YO Colts and Geldings 1200m
Some talented fellas racing here, BRUTAL (5) couldn’t have been more impressive at his debut 6 weeks ago, he sped through to lead at Caulfield before running away in the straight to win by 5. He looks to have untapped ability, will be going forward and if able to dictate the race from outside the leader, will be hard to run down.
Dangers:
MARCEL FROM MADRID (1) will be giving his main danger a start, he is undefeated and has been brilliant in remaining undefeated. Look for him to be charging out wide late. LEONARDO DA HINCHI (6) is another that is undefeated after two career starts, he was doing the best late last time in soft conditions after racing up on the speed. JIMENEZ (12) is still a maiden, he has only been to the races once and that was here when having no luck being held-up at a vital stage. He should get a soft run and will be ridden for luck again along the inside.
Race 8: Carlyon Stakes 1000m
QUILISTA (3) is resuming, she handles the conditions well and has a great record when racing fresh. She has only raced here once for a 2nd, she has speed and sill be right up on the pace off the good draw.
Dangers:
HEY DOC (1) is also resuming and has a stack of class. He was well beaten up the straight against the best sprinters in the land in the Autumn, sent to the paddock as there obviously wasn’t something right. He has won 3 from 5 when resuming and if there is support for him on race-day, expect that he is ready to fire. FAATINAH (5) is an interesting runner, he was racing well here before a stint in the UAE. He has a cracking record fresh and should be ready to go, just not sure that he can sit wide and win here resuming. MR SNEAKY (8) has trialed well, resuming after going close to Group Three glory in Queensland last time. He will be giving them a start but look for him late if they fly up front.
Race 9: Handicap 1519m
THEANSWERMYFRIEND (9) is a last start winner leading all the way at Flemington. He beat off the talented Night’s Watch late and there was a margin to third, the soft track certainly doesn’t hurt either. Look for him to go forward again off the good draw.
Dangers:
ODEON (7) comes through that same race, he was slowly away before making ground into a well beaten 3rd. He was strong enough through the line, so the extra trip should suit. HIYAAM (5) is a classy mare resuming, she was last seen in the Oaks in Sydney where she beat all but one home in an attempt to lead all the way. She won fresh on debut but she no doubt will improve on whatever she does here today. CHAMOIS ROAD (2) will find this easier than what he chased home up the straight last start, he maps beautifully in behind the leaders and will only need luck at the right time.