3 minute read

Crossbow faces a deeper field of older rivals this week

SR 1: (3) CHEAP THRILLS - Honest mare will have derived benefit from her last start effort on a very heavy track at Randwick on 11 June when she finished a close third over 1100m. It was her first start for a month after an equally good second at the Scone carnival in May and added to her overall consistency in this class. She is very adept in winter going and the step up to 1200m gives her the chance get back into the winning list.

SR 4: (4) BELTANE - Features in a clash between some talented prospects with his stable giving an early lead to his chances by scratching his stable mate soon after the fields were finalised. Made a promising return when working home strongly for third behind Testarhythm over 1200m on a heavy Rosehill track on 18 June and will be a much fitter rival for that horse this time over the more suitable 1350m with a 3kg weight shift in his favour. He is a typical Lonhro improver who can be marked down as an early Golden Rose contender.

SR 7: (10) WAZN - Yet another good import for the Waller stable who will find his first crack at 2000m in Australia ideal after a win and two placings from his first four Sydney starts over shorter trips. Found the line in good style when second to Winning Glory over 1800m at this course two weeks ago and it's all upside for him as he will be meeting that horse 2kg better over this suitable longer trip.

ONES TO AVOID

SR 7: (2) CROSSBOW - Lines up for his third successive win but this 3yo meets a deeper field of older rivals and he's not likely to get the picnic he enjoyed turning his last race at Randwick into a sprint home.

MOONEE VALLEY - tips by Wayne Bristow

MR 1: (3) YOU THINK SO - A 3yo who has been very keen for this trip and beyond. Worked home very stylishly at Flemington in a good form race when coming from last. Should get a perfect run from the inside barrier in the small field and only needs luck getting out at the right time to be the one to beat. Luke Nolen isn't struggling to find winners either.

MR 2: (10) UPBEAT - Possibly easy to say but not hard to make a case that he should have won last time at this very track. Was badly held up until only the last 100m then flashed home. Does stay at the same trip but with a top gate and a jockey who kicked back into form with winners in Sydney last Saturday, he doesn't need to give away too much too early. Any conditions will be OK but if it were wet it would be no drawback.

ONES TO AVOID

MR 3: (1) GENERAL TRUCE - While he does love 1000m, the Moonee Valley version can be a tough test if the track allows them to run on. The claim does help but there are several decent horses here on the up getting weight even after that 3kg off. The barrier might be a little tricky as well in a competitive race.

BR 2: (1) PLAIN MAGIC - This mare is by far the best horse in this race and so the 3kg claim is incredibly important. She has tasted Listed success before and goes well early in a campaign. The daughter of Magic Albert has raced against the likes of Beaded, Graceful Anna and Catapulted and she only needs to be safe and well to race well here off a safe barrier given she is an on pacer. Any move for her and get on.

BR 3: (8) WIN A MILLION - In an on pace dominated race at Ipswich, she got home OK to run fourth in the Gai Waterhouse. The winner has reconfirmed the form in the Tiara last week and staying on the limit is only going to help. The bigger track will benefit her finish and we want to get her early in the prep. It's hardly a field of flying mares.

ONES TO AVOID

BR 6: (1) GOLD IN DUBAI - Will have plenty of friends after his dominant Ipswich Cup winner but goes up 2.5kg to 57kg which can't help if you want to lead all the way again. It is also his first attempt at the mile and a half which is another pain barrier all together. And perhaps the smaller track helped him scoot around the bends which for a stayer might not be so easy at Caloundra.

MORPHETTVILLE - tips by Jason Hickson

AR 6: (2) NEVZLIN - Has won his last two, the latest a similar race on the Parks track. Will be able to race on the speed here again and hard to see anything behind him turning the tables.

AR 7: (3) KENNY KID - Ran on well last time in Melbourne and looks well placed here with the claim for Mitch Speers. Drawn wide but should be hitting the line hard.

ONES TO AVOID

AR 5: (6) SECRET VINTAGE - Started a short-priced favourite last time and did find a bit of trouble so will probably be tried again here. But from a wide gate probably has to go back and with little pace on might be left with a fair bit to do late.