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Black type racing returns to The Valley on Saturday as we continue to gear up for the Melbourne Spring Carnival.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
2024 Carlyon Stakes Day features some excellent betting races and is headlined by the Listed Carlyon Stakes, won by Bella Nipotina famously in 2022, and this year boasting names like Griff, Mornington Glory and Bold Bastille.
I've run the rule over that race and the remaining eight on Carlyon Stakes Day, and you can find all of my thoughts and Moonee Valley tips below.
Race 1 - 1:20pm: Italian Chamber Of Commerce Handicap (2500m)
Carlyon Stakes Day kicks off with a staying test featuring several good types, including Dashing Duchess.
Dashing Duchess has turned in some fine performances this time in and was rewarded for her form with a dominant two-length victory over this route a fortnight ago.
There's absolutely no knock on her fitness and with Jamie Kah jumping into the saddle this week, I can't find a reason why she won't be in the finish again.
3 Units Dashing Duchess
Race 2 - 1:45pm: Brooks Running AU Plate (1200m)
Last Druid looks to have a very bright future, and he can build on his increasingly smart record at The Valley on Saturday.
The Brazen Beau colt didn't manage to break his maiden during his debut prep when running into some smart competition, but het got the monkey off his back first-up at Wyong in June.
Having since finished runner up in a pair of metro sprints, including an agonizingly close effort behind Blue Stratum here a fortnight ago, he's fit and ready to win again.
2 Units Last Druid
Race 3 - 2:20pm: Airitalia Handicap (1523m)
I'm keen to stick with Dom when he steps out third-up at The Valley.
The Pierro gelding showed some promise at the trials prior to his debut and put the writing on the wall with a dominant 5.5-length triumph at Geelong last month.
Having followed that up with a nice effort to finish second behind I Am Velvet in the VOBIS Gold Ingot last time out, he's got plenty of upside and is drawn to receive a lovely run this week.
2 Units Dom
Race 4 - 2:55pm: Vale Black Caviar Plate (1200m)
Immortal Star is second-up this week and open to plenty of improvement.
The I Am Immortal filly produced some excellent performances during her two-year-old prep, breaking her maiden in a decent form race and only just missing behind Bold Bastille in the Redoute's Choice Stakes most notably.
She was also less than half a length behind Blue Stratum here first-up a fortnight ago and gets the notable advantage of Blake Shinn in the saddle this time.
3 Units Immortal Star
Race 5 - 3:30pm: Dr Bernard Clarke Memorial Handicap (2040m)
I've found this to be one of the more difficult races on the program and there really is a case to be made for many of them, but I am going to have something on Jabbawockeez.
The son of Redwood has been a model of consistency throughout a busy campaign this year, and he returned to winning form with an eye-catching effort in a similar race at Caulfield two runs back.
Having returned to the midweeks to finish within a length of Golden Crusader late last month, I like that he's dropping back to the Ladbrokes Cox Plate trip this week, and he has claims again.
1 Unit Jabbawockeez
Race 6 - 4:10pm: Ladbroke It! Handicap (1600m)
The first leg of the quaddie looms as a good contest at The Valley on Saturday, but I've put a fit Step Aside on top.
Step Aside is yet to strike in three runs back from a break, but he has improved noticeably with each, caught wide but keeping on well to finish fifth at Caulfield before hitting the line to fill the minors behind Rise At Dawn last time out.
The wide draw isn't as much of a concern as he'll settle off the pace regardless, while he's another whose claims have been boosted by the booking of Blake Shinn.
2 Units Step Aside
Race 7 - 4:45pm: BoozeBud Handicap (1523m)
I have no doubt that Sea What I See will improve for whatever he does manage this week, but he's still the class horse engaged in this contest, and I am confident that alone will take him a long way towards winning.
Sea What I See was nothing short of outstanding last time in, winning each of his six starts, including a race here at The Valley and peaking in the Listed Centaurea Stakes at Morphettville in May.
Jamie Kah rides from a good draw and the horse will carry only 53kgs.
4 Units Sea What I See
Race 8 - 5:15pm: Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m)
This is an excellent edition of the Carlyon Stakes, and some serious Group 1 talent is engaged, including three-year-old, Bold Bastille.
Bold Bastille stamped herself as one to follow by winning the Inglis Banner on debut here on Ladbrokes Cox Plate Day last year, greeting the judge three lengths ahead of subsequent Group 1 winner Hayasugi.
Having finished sixth in the Blue Diamond Prelude for fillies in February, she progressed to three-consecutive featured wins.
She gets into this race extremely well at the weights, she's reportedly furnished into a stronger horse and she's proven here, importantly.
3 Units Bold Bastille
Race 9 - 5:45pm: Dr Sheahan Plate (1200m)
I'm keen to stick with Extratwo when she takes her place in the last on Carlyon Stakes Day.
Extratwo found her best form right here at The Valley during her autumn preparation earlier this year, while she also managed to pick off a lucrative VOBIS race at Caulfield.
Having returned to action to finish second, beaten just over a length by Home Rule here a fortnight ago, I'm expecting plenty of improvement on Saturday.
2 Units Extratwo
