Moonee Valley Racing Tips
Track: Good 3. Rail: Out 7m entire circuit
Best Bet: RACE 5 – MORRISSY
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Race 1: 3YO Maiden Plate 1200m
STILL INVINCIBLE (6) is a Tony McEvoy runner on debut, he bolted in at a recent trial at Cranbourne and this yard knows how to get one to win at start one. Any late money around would increase the confidence.
Dangers:
VIRTUAL INSANITY (7) has placed at 3 of his 5 runs to date, including both this prep. He was a lot closer last time and expect that to be the case again off the good draw. He looks a danger if the debutant is easy in the market. REALLY SWISH (4) will find this a lot easier than last start behind the Blue Diamond winner of last year. KAPLUMPICH (3) placed at his first two then forget he even went around last time after having no luck getting a run.
Race 2: BM64 Handicap 1000m
MOONLIGHT RUBY (2) is resuming, he looked to be going through the grades nicely before a poor run at Mornington where he missed the kick. He is fresh today and has a god record resuming, he has never missed a place in three attempts and maps well.
Dangers:
UNSHACKLED (5) draws well, he is lining up for the 9th time this prep but has only missed a place on one of those occasions and maps to get a soft run. ROCK HARD (4) comes through the Written By race a fortnight ago and will find this easier. He won all three starts at his first prep, not going as well this time in but may just be finding his feet. GOLDEN MINESHAFT (3) settled a lot closer last time and was an improver, expect those tactics again from out wide.
Race 3: BM64 Handicap 2040m
OPEN THE HATCH (7) for the Weir team is down in grade but back against the boys here. She had every chance when narrowly going down last time and was unlucky the start prior. She maps well and should have the cold sit on them.
Dangers:
SYDNEY BLUE (9) is on the 10-day back-up, he led them up in the Derby trial and looks suited up in trip with an easier tempo. MISS COOLANGATTA (4) was super late at Bendigo after being held-up at a vital stage. BONVILLE (3) has been going well in easier races and is having his first look at the Valley. He is well drawn and looks a great place chance.
Race 4: BM78 Handicap 955m
Giving PREZADO (1) another chance here after his howler last start. He was very easy in the betting second-up and ran accordingly, wobbled around the turn wide and never made an impact. He should be stalking the leaders here and be rounding them up at the top of the short straight.
Dangers:
WRITTEN CHOICE (5) is very consistent, has a good second-up record and will probably have to sit wide here. He stuck on well after being headed at Ballarat. HEART CONQUERED (7) was the winner of that race, likely to be giving them a start he will be storming home at the business end. RODDANDTODD (8) is a previous winner of one of these 955m events, a little concerning his record fresh but he maps well.
Race 5: BM64 Handicap 1200m
MORRISSY (9) has only been to the races once previously, he began well but was urged along to lead and once he hit his cruising speed he railed hard and kicked clear in the straight, continuing to increase the margin all the way to the line. A huge win, this is harder but gee he was impressive.
Dangers:
ALL A SPRITZ (10) is another last start winner on debut, he was only fairly away before showing great natural speed and after finding the front, gave nothing else a chance. The emergencies will be near the top of the betting if they get a start, INTERRAM (11) won her maiden impressively last time at Mildura form in front, MISS SKEPTICAL (12) goes well but has had a lot more experience and the others may have more upside.
Race 6: Mares BM70 Handicap 1000m
ALTA STELLA (3) wasn’t beaten far at Listed level across the border last time, she has a great record second-up and looks really well in here back to mares grade. She is back in trip so I would be surprised if she leads, but has the perfect gate to take up a spot right on their backs early.
Dangers:
FILL THE FLUTE (4) is a flyer, she has won two in a row since resuming and has come back super this prep. If she can get to the rail first she will be hard to run past in the straight. SISTER KITTY MAC (2) is resuming, she has speed but her poor record when racing fresh is a little concerning. TYKIATO (1) has speed and is down in grade.
Race 7: BM78 Handicap 1600m
FRIAR FOX (10) is an interesting runner, she has a great overall record winning half of her 8 career starts, but they were all in the west. She comes East to the Darren Weir stable and is sure to be well supported. She may need the run but looks to have the class.
Dangers:
ROYAL ACE (8) is a stablemate of the top pick, he will benefit if there is any rain around. The emergencies will play a big role if they get a start, REALISE POTENTIAL (11) has been up for a while but has been racing well north of the border. DOWNHEARTED (12) doesn’t win out of turn but maps to get a lovely run in transit behind the leader.
Race 8: BM64 Handicap 1600m
BAD WOLF (7) ran home ok when well beaten at Flemington last start> it is a tough ask to sweep very wide around that long bend, he maps to get a much softer run here off the inside draw. He may just need a little luck when the runs are coming getting off the inside.
Dangers:
REBELLIOUS LORD (5) will start near the top of the market, he was beaten a long way at Flemington but had excuses and was good through the line. Just a worry where he is going to get to from the wide draw. DESIDERO (1) has been very consistent this prep, just needs to convert that synthetic form. SILENT COMMAND (3) may want further but has raced in much better company than this as a 3YO.