Moonee Valley Racing Tips
Track: Good 4. Rail: True
Best Bet: Race 7 – CLIFF’S EDGE
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Race 1: Inglis Banner 2YO 1000m
Tough start to the day, hopefully you are still counting your cash from last night and can afford to sit this one out! The babies go around with 7 of the 12 having their first start. Too hard to line-up, of the raced brigade WEDGETAIL (5) and BISCARA (6) were both of on debut in the Debutant Stakes at Caulfield. Of those on debut, obviously watch for any significant betting moves, particularly with ESPAANIYAH (7) and JUDGEMENT (8) who have both trialed well.
Race 2: Handicap 955m
ASHLOR (3) flies first-up, he may find a few of them too nippy early over the 955m, but if he can stay in touch and get cover, he will be finishing better than any out wide. He looks a great each-way bet at the probable double-figure odds.
Dangers:
DESERT LASHES (5) is an interesting runner, now with the Tony McEvoy stable. She has a stack of pace and was racing well in Adelaide, she has had a 6-week freshen-up between stable changes. Look for any money for her late after they have paraded. GUARD OF HONOUR (4) is having his first go here at the trip, likely to be giving them a start but he has a great turn-of-foot late. NASDEX (8) has a stack of speed and the good gate should see him map well. May just need some luck getting a split late when the swoopers are joining in wide out.
Race 3: Tesio Stakes Mares 1600m
SAVATIANO (2) had no luck at Flemington three weeks ago at her last run, she was held-up until the 100m mark and really ran through the line hard. She beaten by a good horse that day, but no doubt those that backed her were feeling very hard done by. She maps beautifully and looks one of the best of the day, she is so consistent.
Dangers:
PRINCESS POSH (1) comes south with a very solid overall record, a little concerning that she has been up for so long but she does have a win over the top selection recently. BRING ME ROSES (4) has placed at both previous second-up runs, she may still need a little further but maps to get a soft run mid-field and should be hitting the line hard. SHOKO (7) may be the leader, if she can settle better in front than she did in the lead-up at Flemington, she will give a sight.
Race 4: William Crockett Stakes 3YO Fillies 1200m
INTO THE ABYSS (4) was first-up at Caulfield in the lead-up to this race, she was midfield before coming wide and running on well. She would have taken benefit from that run, draws to get the soft run and looks to have come back well.
Dangers:
ASSERTIVE PLAY (2) comes through that same formline, she was held-up at a vital stage before the furlong pole and chased hard thereafter. SPANISH WHISPER (1) comes through a different form line, she was only fair in the Thousand Guineas after leading. She gets a couple of gear changes today which may settle her better, expect that she will look the winner at some stage out in front. BEAUTY (9) is undefeated in 2 career starts, both up on the pace. She will have to work a little from the wide draw when going forward and this is no doubt much harder, but she looks to have the ability to take the next step.
Race 5: Red Anchor Stakes 3YO 1200m
WAGNER (7) will have improved a stack off his run at Caulfield, that was his first go the Melbourne way and he looked to have plenty to learn. He was coming off two nice wins in Sydney previously and maps perfectly.
Dangers:
RINGERDINGDING (6) looks an improver, he was very plain at Caulfield last time and very one paced, gets the addition of the blinkers back on and should be a lot sharper. SUNSET WATCH (4) is a last start winner here at the track which is a big plus, he should be up on the speed and if he finds the lead, will be very hard to run down again. SPIN (3) is yet to win out of maiden grade, comes back from a fair effort on the heavy track in Sydney last start.
Race 6: Fillies Classic 1600m
EL DORADO DREAMING (1) was well in the market in the Thousand Guineas, she looked to have the right run but was a little flat in the run home. This looks easier and she is better than that.
Dangers:
MYSTIC JOURNEY (3) comes through a different formline, her win at Caulfield was electric and she was huge here last time she saw the Valley after having no luck. KRONE (4) ran on well in the Thousand Guineas, she was big odds that day but found the line well. FUNDAMENTALIST (2) was triple figure odds in the Thousand Guineas, ran a bolter after a pearler of a ride and was only nabbed late. Looks to be under the odds here but must be thrown in all exotics.
Race 7: Crystal Mile WFA 1600m
CLIFF’S EDGE (8) was super in the Toorak last start. He may have been beaten 3.45 lengths, but nothing went right for him. He over-raced badly when up on the speed, got past the leader at the 300m mark and although he was beaten soon after, he stuck on well and was clearly the best of the on-pacers in a race where that was not the place to be. If he can get cover one wide on the speed, he will be winning this.
Dangers:
SIEGE OF QUEBEC (9) comes through that same race, he didn’t have much luck either when making a long run off the track, he may have to give the top selection a cart into this though. SIR JOHN LAVERY (7) had no luck at his Aussie debut, was held-up for a couple of furlongs before copping a check when running on late. He is sure to be improved off that run and maps well. PRIZED ICON (2) looked the best of good things in a sales restricted race last time, he had a very tough run and stuck on well. This is harder.
Race 8: Moonee Valley Gold Cup 2500m
Got a funny feeling that TRAP FOR FOOLS (9) will run a huge race here after being snubbed for the Cox Plate, just a little “cop that” from the team to the club. He has tactical speed and will more than likely go to the front, he has won twice around here previously.
Dangers:
THE TAJ MAHAL (6) was a nice run in the Caulfield Cup, he made a mid-race move wide and really put the pressure on the field. He stuck on ok after making that move also and this is easier. PRIZE MONEY (5) is an interesting runner, his first Oz run was disappointing in the Herbert Power but he is obviously better than that, they wouldn’t have bought him here for nothing. EGG TART (3) has been racing well in Sydney, really had his chance in a winnable race in the Craven Plate. If ridden for luck, look for her late back towards the inside somewhere.
Race 9: Cox Plate WFA 2040m
WINX (6) to make it four straight Cox Plates? It is hard to see anything different occurring. Not going to tip against her. We all know what she can do and what a marvelous story it will be.
Dangers:
There has been some big money around for BENBATL (1) to upset the greatest horse in the world, HUMIDOR (2) ran a bolter in this race last year and looks primed. The blinkers go back on with him, that’s a sign. Hard to fault the form of AVILIUS (4), he looks better suited under handicap conditions and is just here prepping for the first Tuesday in November.
Race 10: Moonee Valley Vase 3YO 2040m
This is not the Grand Final for VERY ELLEEGANT (13), that comes Thursday of Cup week where she is the dominant favourite for the Oaks. She has to take on the boys here, her first run since coming across the ditch was super without having luck and then she brained them at Caulfield. She looks a star in the making, a little worry it is her first go around the Valley, but she should be running on hard.
Dangers:
ARAMAYO (1) is also having his first look here, he has been good north of the border but just a concern where he will get to from the wide gate early. With the right cart into it he should be charging late as well. DEALMAKER (4) comes through that same form line of the Spring Champion in NSW, he didn’t have much luck but was entitled to hit the line better than what he did. SAVOIE (5) is consistent, he should be leading for a long way.
