3 minute read
What better way to celebrate the festive season than eight of the best under lights this Friday at The Valley!
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
The rail is out 5m the entire course and with fine weather forecast, racing will take place on a Good 4 surface.
Following careful deliberation, we've provided our top selections for each race below.
Race 1 - 6:15pm: Benchmark 70 Handicap (3000 METRES)
We kick the meeting off with a 3000m test of stamina where I'll be with the former Queenslander, Southern Stock (1).
Now with Henry Dwyer, the Tavistock gelding had a luckless run last start over 3800m here where he raced three-wide without cover for the final mile and understandably had little left late.
The start prior he settled too far back but found the line strongly over 3200m at the Gold Coast to finish a length second.
He will carry 10.5kg less than last start thanks to Jaylah Kennedy's claim.
1 Unit – Southern Stock (1)
Race 2 - 6:45pm: Maiden Plate (1523 METRES)
Zourain (5) produced his best career performance with the rise to this distance last start on the Caulfield Heath track.
The Griffiths & de Kock-trained gelding settled back after drawing a wide gate before running on strongly along the inside to finish 1.1 lengths third.
He's now at peak fitness and draws favourably in barrier 1.
The son of Zousain has shown early speed in the past and from a better barrier Zac Spain can settle closer in the run.
1 Unit – Zourain (5)
Race 3 - 7:15pm: Fillies & Mares Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)
Rockin' At Midnite (9) will appreciate returning to Maiden class after giving a good account of herself last start over this course and distance.
The Chris Waller-trained daughter of Extreme Choice came wide on the turn and fought gamely but was no match for the talented Magic Millions aspirant Miss Altair when finishing 3.1 lengths third.
Two starts back she gave a big sight in front over 1400m at Pakenham but was picked off late to finish a neck second.
She's finished in the placings in four of her five starts and while she has the outside barrier to contend with, she gets Damian Lane in the saddle.
1 Unit – Rockin' At Midnite (9)
Race 4 - 7:45pm: Benchmark 64 Handicap (2500 METRES)
Galilaeus (3) resumes here on the back of four jump outs with the most recent being a solid hit out over 1600m.
That should ensure that the Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained gelding has an excellent fitness base for this first-up assignment.
He produced an eye-catching performance in his only start last preparation when storming home from the back to finish 1.2 lengths fifth in a stronger race over 2400m on The Hillside track.
Jamie Mott is the pilot and can settle midfield behind what looks a decent speed.
1 Unit – Galilaeus (3)
Race 5 - 8:15pm: 3YO Benchmark 64 Handicap (1000 METRES)
Judicial (3) returns to the races for his second preparation on the back of a nice jump out where he finished second to one time The Everest contender Joyful Fortune.
The Moody & Coleman-trained Written Tycoon colt impressed in his one and only start where he led and kicked late to win by 2.3 lengths over 1100m on the Ballarat Synthetic.
He's drawn well for Damian Lane who should drive forward and look to lead or box seat.
2 Units – Judicial (3)
Race 6 - 8:45pm: Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge Heat 9 (955 METRES)
Big Me (4) launched his career in Hong Kong, where he had just the two runs for a win and a third placing before making his way to Australia.
Following 21 months away from the racetrack the Nick-Ryan trained gelding kicked off his Australian career with a very encouraging effort down the Flemington straight, before stepping out here over 1000m where he looked the winner but was nabbed right on the line.
He had excuses in two subsequent runs and was spelled.
The son of Your Song returned last start at Bendigo with a dominant display where despite racing wide throughout, he put his rivals away easily for a 2.3 length win with third three lengths away.
He'll strip fitter second-up and should race on speed for Craig Williams.
2 Units – Big Me (4)
Race 7 - 9:15pm: Benchmark 64 Handicap (1523 METRES)
Ruminate (1) will appreciate the drop in class after competing well in stronger races than this.
The Matt Cumani-trained gelding was unlucky not to threaten for the win last start over 1600m here when looming strongly along the fence but getting caught behind the leader to finish 1.7 lengths third.
He finished close third in both of his prior starts, but did win the last time he raced in this class which was four starts back on the Ballarat Synthetic.
Jaylah Kennedy, who claims 2kg, can give her mount a great run on speed from barrier 2.
1 Unit – Ruminate (1)
Race 8 - 9:45pm: Fillies & Mares Benchmark 70 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Apache Song (2) was ultra impressive when winning over this distance last start.
The four-year-old mare crossed from the outside barrier to lead before giving her rivals the slip at the top of the straight to go clear and win by 4.3 lengths.
She will strip fitter third-up and had a lot more to give so she should handle the class rise.
Unfortunately, Blake Shinn won't be riding but new rider Adam McCabe has won three of his past six rides.
1 Unit – Apache Song (2)
