Moonee Valley Racing Tips
Track: Good 4. Rail: True
Best Bet: Race 2 – PLEASURING
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Race 1: Super VOBIS 3YO Handicap 1000m
FINAL CHOICE (6) won his maiden at Pakenham on the synthetic two back, then went to a 64 at Flemington up the straight and was too quick for them. This is harder and she may have to sit outside the leader, but she has the ability to show that sustained speed.
Dangers:
PROPEL LE (11) is resuming, she was brilliant when winning her maiden two back, then went up the straight in a harder race and was lame, although not beaten far. Watch for any support in the betting with her fresh off a recent jump-out. ZOUMANOR (8) was good winning on debut at maiden level, he showed speed and should be able to use the inside gate to his advantage here. OUR LONG SAIL (7) is resuming for a new yard, she is the winner of three races already and has had the benefit of two recent trials. Watch for any positives in the betting.
Race 2: Fillies and Mares Handicap 2040m
PLEASURING (2) was a blackbooker from Cranbourne last start, she was well back before coming very wide, was bumped at the furlong and then ran on strongly once balanced up again. She should be at peak fitness now and maps to settle closer. She should be back in the winner’s circle tonight back in this grade.
Dangers:
LOPARTEGA (3) comes through that same race, she was held-up before running on hard, only to be nabbed late. She races well here. NETTOYER (1) drops a stack in class after racing in the Metropolitan and the Craven Plate at her last two north of the border. She has only been fir in those two runs but will certainly get the trip and will appreciate being in this class. PATRICIA ANNE (6) gets out to this trip for the first time this campaign, she didn’t have much luck when making a run last time then really hit the line hard in an easier race.
Race 3: VOBIS Gold Star 1500m
WIDGEE TURF (1) returns to his favourite track, he is a winner three times here and maps well. He has had a 7-week freshen-up after competing in harder races than this. Her run in Adelaide last time was super, she really was winding up late and her pattern is suited by the Valley where she can slingshot off the turn.
Dangers:
ICONOCLASM (3) maps beautifully, he appeared in the steward’s report here two back so forgive that run, then went to Caufield and bolted in after a gun run. The clear danger. There doesn’t look to be to many other winning chances, KIWIA (2) is resuming off a Brisbane campaign through the winter and may need further whilst VINLAND (7) looks next best but a place chance only. It looks a race in two.
Race 4: Open Handicap 2040m
ODEON (2) was ok in the Herbert Power, he was forced to make a long-sustained run to get up in the speed and tired late. He stuck on ok, this is a lot easier and he has versatility. He maps to be just off the leaders, has yet to run a place in two runs here at the track but they were in much harder races than this.
Dangers:
WAGING WAR (4) looks the obvious danger but will be giving Odeon a start. He kept grinding away in the Toorak, stepping up to the Cox Plate trip here looks ideal. He will keep coming. Hard to see anything bar these two saluting, throw in LAST WEEK (8) and THE LORD MAYOR (6) for the minors if you are playing exotics.
Race 5: 0-84 Handicap 955m
Going to give PREZADO (6) one more chance. He was heavily backed when running on well last time here in a race a few of these lined up in, was disappointing the start previous to that and was super fresh up the straight. He may just be hitting peak fitness now, he has all the potential just needs to put it all together.
Dangers:
WRITTEN CHOICE (9) was the winner of that race here last time that the top selection placed in. He has good speed, just needs to carve across early and find a spot hopefully up outside the leader without having to do too much work. ESPERANCE (2) has gone onto a new level this campaign, but this is his first look at the Valley, has the wide draw and will be giving them a start. He looks a big risk. HAY BALE (4) next best, he has a poor record fresh but should be getting the soft rails run just behind the leader.
Race 6: Handicap 1200m
A lot will depend if the emergency ISAURIAN (14) gets a run here. He has very good speed, has the right draw to be able to lead all the way. He comes through a good form race here a month ago, led on that occasion but had every chance. Can go one better here.
Dangers:
If he doesn’t get a run, RUNSON (12) looks the pick. He has good tactical speed and versatility, likely to go forward from the wide gate and get the spot outside the leader. If he can control the tempo from there he will be hard to beat. CAPTAIN PUNCH (10) was runner-up behind him last start, drawn poorly here though, he was terrific through the Darwin carnival. DEMONSTRATE (6) will get back and run on.
Race 7: Manikato Stakes WFA 1200m
SUNLIGHT (14) has a phenomenal overall record. She has taken the step up to this class well after a super juvenile year, her only defeat this time in was to Nature Strip in SA when she may have been underdone but that was when Nature Strip was flying. She has the good gate and should be able to lead for a long way or be camped just off them.
Dangers:
HOUTZEN (10) gets back on the bigger track after a luckless run at the Valley in the Moir. She should have a perfect run in transit just off the leaders. U S NAVY FLAG (8) was having his first Australian start in the Everest, he was slowly away and never in the race, he is better than that. KEMENTARI (2) started this campaign as “the horse that could put it to Winx”, he has the ability, just needs the good ride and to put it all together. Cracking race.
Race 8: BM84 Handicap 1500m
SHOKORA (7) has been ok at all three runs without threatening since resuming. She maps to be closer to the speed here and in what looks an open race, she looks a good each-way bet to nothing and should finish hard
Dangers:
Most of them. TAMASA (5) rises in grade after two wins on the trot in easier company, he will want to be up on the speed but looks a good risk if starting at the top of the market. KING’S COMMAND (1) drops in class but has the big weight as a consequence, he will settle closer today as well. CALL IT A DAY (8) is racing consistently but may have to work from the wide draw to get his favoured role up on the speed. Tough race to finish the night.
