3 minute read
We return to The Valley for the third time this season on Saturday, while Group 1 racing returns for the first time!
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The Moir Stakes is always an exciting contest, but there is no doubt that Saturday's edition looms as one of its strongest since the turn of the century, and we'll get to see the likes of I Wish I Win, Chain Of Lightning and Estriella take on exciting three-year-olds like Lady Of Camelot and Coleman for the first time.
I've run the rule over that race and the remaining nine, and you can find all of my Moonee Valley tips below!
Race 1 - 12:10pm: Ladbrokes Own Spring Handicap (1600m)
Evaporate is chasing a hat-trick when he steps out in the first on Moir Stakes Day.
The Per Incanto gelding returned from a break to only just miss over 1100m out at Ballarat, but took plenty of improvement into a comfortable win in maiden company at Cranbourne.
Having franked that win with an even better one here at The Valley last time, I can't find a reason why he won't be in the finish again.
2 Units Evaporate
Race 2 - 12:40pm: Drummond Golf Handicap (1600m)
Le Man attracted plenty of interest in betting ahead of her first run in Australia last month but ultimately finished third.
The former French galloper only made four appearances at the races during her European tenure, but she was excellent, winning twice and only just missing behind Electric Storm on another occasion.
With the benefit of that first run under her belt and getting out to the mile this week, she is my best bet on the program.
4 Units Le Mans
Race 3 - 1:15pm: Powerflo Solutions Handicap (1600m)
Regal Zeus has been racing in strong and consistent form this time and rates as a key winning chance again on Moir Stakes Day.
The Zoustar gelding returned to winning form in BM70 company at Sandown back in July, while he's taken a real liking to the unique Valley conditions at his last two starts, finishing second on both occasions.
He's hard fit, drops in the weights and I don't think he'll get a better opportunity to win in Saturday metro company.
2 Units Regal Zeus
Race 4 - 1:50pm: Strathmore Community Bendigo Bank Handicap (2040m)
Lauding looked to be back to his best here at The Valley a fortnight ago and can make it two on the bounce this week.
The Proisir gelding was excellent last time in, particularly here at The Valley, and while his first two runs back from a break left a little to the imagination, he was strong over this route at his latest.
He's hard fit and gets some relief in the added weight with Jaylah Kennedy's claim. Even luck from the barriers, and I think he'll be tough to beat.
2 Units Lauding
Race 5 - 2:25pm: Listed Chautauqua Stakes (1200m)
Arkansaw Kid has opened a clear and justifiable favourite to win the Chautauqua Stakes.
The Harry Angel gelding turned in some decent performances without winning in black type company earlier this year, but he returned from a break to post a very impressive victory in the Regal Roller Stakes last month.
He boasts a strong second-up record and I think he'll win again, but then $1.90 available at publish is too short for me, so I am going to select him as the winner in a Same Race Multi and pump up my odds with former Kiwi Desert Lightning running into the first three.
Desert Lightning is a Group 1 winner and has reportedly pleased Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman since arriving in their care.
Same Race Multi selections:
► No. 3 Arkansaw Kid (Win)
► No. 1 Desert Lightning (Top 3)
Race 6 - 3pm: Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes (1200m)
I'm expecting Ameena and Silmarillion to come out of this race and instead contest the Furious Stakes up in Sydney, and that leave's me with Zeitung on top in the Atlantic Jewel Stakes.
Zeitung returned to action for an easy win in BM64 company at the midweeks up in Sydney, while she worked home well to finish just over half a length behind the winner in the Silver Shadow Stakes last time out.
Jamie Kah has been booked to ride this week and this looks a lovely race for her.
3 Units Zeitung
Race 7 - 3:35pm: Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m)
Public Attention worked home well to score at Caulfield on debut in July and something like this looks the next logical target for him.
The Written Tycoon colt did attract some interest at a double figure price ahead of his debut at Caulfield, and I thought that he was really tough to win.
He's been back to the trials since then and will only improve for the experience.
2 Units Public Attention
Race 8 - 4:15pm: So You Think Stakes (1500m)
Pericles will take a power of beating second-up from a spell.
The Street Boss gelding is undoubtedly one of the better horses in Australia that is yet to record a win at the highest level, but he has still managed to pick off plenty of good races and has been right in the finish at the highest level many times.
Having returned to action to finish third, beaten less than a length by Gentleman Roy and Pinstriped in the PB Lawrence, the form has been franked, and I can't find a reason why he won't be in the finish.
4 Units Pericles
Race 9 - 4:50pm: Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m)
This is a stacked edition of the Moir Stakes and certainly the best that I can remember. With a case to be made for many of them, I'm of the opinion that I Wish I Win is just the best horse engaged and if he turns up in the mood, he wins.
He doesn't know how to run a bad race and has just left himself with too much to do from time to time, but he saluted at the highest level again at his latest appearance in the winter.
Barrier 5 and regular rider Luke Nolen are big ticks, and I'm happy to be with him again.
2 Units I Wish I Win
Race 10 - 5:25pm: Ladbrokes Racing Club Handicap (1200m)
Verdad makes his eagerly awaited return to the races in the last on Moir Stakes Day.
Verdad has won just one of his eight career starts to date, but he's hardly turned in a poor performance in that time and has been particularly competitive here at The Valley.
This is the weakest task he's been set for some time, and he can hit the ground running.
2 Units Verdad
BET NOW: Moonee Valley Race 10
