Moonee Valley Saturday 3/9
Conditions - Soft
Race 1
3- BIG STORY
2- MAJOR BEEL
7- ELEGANT DIVA
Generally at The Valley it can tend to favour leaders and from reports that’s how it’s expected to play here today so that’s where what we are looking for. BIG STORY is a NZ import who ticked off a maiden win with reasonable ease and now rises in grade. Draws barrier 3 and has good early speed, may get run of the race. MAJOR BEEL comes down from NSW having competed well at this level. He will be one of the runners who will look for the early lead. He should appreciate this trip and a wet track suits. ELEGANT DIVA was and impressive debut winner, she is bred well and looks a nice type. Expecting she takes a sit off the leaders and can reel them in late if they go too hard up front.
Race 2
4- DESERT ICON
8- PRIX DE TURN
3- IRISH FLANE
DESERT ICON should be better for being 3rd up now. He usually finds his best form the deeper he gets into his preps. Strong record over this trip (9:2-4-1) and maps to get run of the race. PRIX DE TURN has won at Group 2 level here at Moonee Valley before. That win was over this same 2040m trip and he is 2nd up now so expecting he should improve off the 1st up run. Carrying 5kgs less here today should help him as well. IRISH FLAME has a good record at this track/distance (4:1-1-1), he goes well on the wet tracks so chances improve with rain.
Race 3
4- SHALAMAN
1- SEBONACK
2- MILLANE
SHALAMAN has found strong form in this prep having won 1st up before 2x 2nds here at Moonee Valley. He was close up last start and has the keys of track experience and early speed from an inside barrier. Will take catching. SEBONACK was 4th in a 2yo Group 1 and is 2nd up here today. He may go back and be looking to do his best work late, that may go against the expected leader conditions, but there is potential that this race is run hot early, giving the back markers a chance. The stable of MILLANE have been very patient with him and he is only very lightly raced but proven in good races. He has a wide barrier here but is another who will want a hot tempo to set him up for a swooping run.
Race 4
2- MR BRIGHTSIDE
4- EARLSWOOD
6- INSPIRATIONAL GIRL
This looks a no bet race for mine, purely on the fact I don’t want to take MR BRIGHTSIDE on, but he is at a price you don’t want to take. Currently $1.80 but it’s probably around $2.20 as the mark for a bet. His recent form is super, he goes well 2nd up and has won 6 of his 9 starts over this trip. EARLSWOOD looks the main danger. He resumes and is a strong 1st up performer (3:2-0-0). Expect from barrier 1 he can take up the lead and will find himself in a strong position. INSPIRATIONAL GIRL is another resuming runner, leaning towards the fact that she will improve when 2nd up as she has record 2nd up but she beat ZAAKI at Group 2 level last prep so her best is good enough.
Race 5
7- COOLANGATTA
2- IN THE CONGO
1- THE INFERNO
COOLANGATTA had a massive 2yo season where she won at Listed and Group 3 level before placing in a Group 1. She has been trialling super and will carry a super low weight here today, expecting her to fly around the track. IN THE CONGO is a Group 1 winner who is resuming off the back off 2 very good NSW trials. He has run well previously when 1st up but the question mark is how he goes over the 1000m as his best career performances have been 1200m or above. The key for THE INFERNO here today is the fact has a good record here at the track (2:1-1-0) and he can run when when fresh. He will be back and running on so needs a hot tempo to bring him into the race.
Race 6
5- BOOGIE DANCER
6- TROACH
3- I’MLOVIN’YA
BOOGIE DANCER has won 3 in a row now and they have all been in impressive fashion. The widish barrier may hurt her a little but she should have enough early speed to get across and find a sit behind the leaders. She should also appreciate the wet track conditions. TROACH was placed in a strong listed level race last start and this is a potentially easier field she is up against. She maps to get a strong run from barrier 5 and will be in a prominent spot through the run. I’MLOVIN’YA was placed when resuming. She hit the line hard and now she rises in distance which you would expect she will appreciate, if she finds clear space in the straight she will be coming home hard.
Race 7
7- CORNER POCKET
4- RANGES
8- PRINCE OF BOOM
Getting super value for CORNER POCKET today. He looks exceptionally well suited here. He has never missed the placings 1st up or when on a soft track. But it’s the fact he has super form here at Moonee Valley and is 2 wins from 2 starts over this track/distance. He will push forwards and lead, and then be the one they need to run down. RANGES has placed in his past 5 starts which includes 2 wins. He is drawn barrier 1 so should get the soft run on speed. PRINCE OF BOOM is the current race fave. A QLD visitor and has won at Group level up there. Should handle the grade, but where he gets to from that wide barrier is a question mark.
Race 8
6- MILITARY EXPERT
5- UNCLE BRYN
9- SHOT OF IRISH
Willing to take on the short price fave UNCLE BRYN in this. He should find this easier than the 1st up run, but think it’s a risk to take a short price about a runner who will be last in the run here at Moonee Valley. Prefer MILITARY EXPERT at a bit better price as he will push forwards and probably lead. He was a good 1st up winner and rising to the 1600m should be an issue here is he gets a soft enough run. SHOT OF IRISH is a winner over this track/distance previously and is a big danger light at the weights. If the rain comes it will improve his chances.
Race 9
15- UNUSUAL CULTURE
10- ATTRACTABLE
5- FRENCH MOON
UNUSUAL CULTURE has been running on strongly from the back in her last couple but not reeling them in to feature. The talent is there and think she can be a good chance if they are more positive on her today given she is drawn in barrier 2. ATTEACTABLE is the current race fave, but it is a very open race. She was 2nd last start over a trip that possibly didn’t suit and now get out to the 1600m where she has previously won. Wide barrier the only question mark. FRENCH MOON is a resuming stayer who had a good last prep. He will get better as he gets out to a longer trip, but has won here at Moonee Valley before and has won 1st up previously, potentially can figure here at big odds.
Quaddie
3,5,6,9
4,7,8,13
5,6
1,3,5,10,11,13
$192 = 100%
