Moe Cup Day headlines a double-header worth of programs in Victoria on Friday.
The Punter’s Prince runs his eyes over a card which is going to require horses who can handle a heavy rain-effected track.
The best bet comes in the Cup itself with plenty of value to be on the program.
Moe Race 1
#1 Mighty hercules
For some reason John Salanitri thought it would be a wise idea to debut Mighty Hercules in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes up the straight at Flemington.
He was beaten out of sight by a stakes-grade field who left him for dead.
Coming back to country-level is exactly where he should be for the time being.
The stable clearly has a high opinion of him and his jump-outs did no harm to shun that sentiment
Barrier two should provide him with the opportunity to either lead or sit one-pair back.
Suggested Bet: Mighty Hercules each-way at $5.5 the win and $1.9 the place
Suggested Exotic: Quinella 1 & 7
Moe Race 5
#9 Ally's Reward
The nine-year-old mare put in a massive run when coming back to the races after a seven-week let up.
She was at least 12 to 14 lengths off the lead speed through the middle stages and had to make a surging sustained run from the rear half of the field to get in touch.
Looked as though she was going to scoot straight past the field in the straight, but the big mid-race squeeze to get within striking distance on the final corner took its toll late in the race.
That run would have her done her wylie old legs the world of good and drawing out wide on this wet track at Moe just very well be an ideal situation.
Suggested Bet: Ally’s Reward each-way at $11 the win and $3.5 the place.
Suggested Exotic: Trifecta – 2, 3, 9/ 2, 3, 9, 10/ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10
Moe Race 6
#10 Rock in the park
Tumbles down in the weights for the rise in the grade and races on the quick back-up which is a sign he has recovered super from a high-pressure race at Cranbourne last week.
Got run off his feet over 1400 metres and was chasing from a long way out in a race that rated well above the standard time for BM-64 level.
Now, he only has to carry 54.5kgs, comes back to country grade and is proven to handle wet tracks with one start on a heavy bearing one win.
Having a good each-way play on him at the double-digit price.
Suggested Bet: Rock In the Park each-way at $12 the win and $3.4 the place.
Suggested Exotic: Boxed Trifecta – 3, 6, 9, 10
Moe Race 8
#7 Ghodeleine
Ghodeleine looks ideally placed to take home the 2021 Moe Cup after a good platform building run at Moonee Valley last start.
The seven-year-old mare trained by Andrew Noblet got too far back from a wide barrier at the Valley, but made good late ground to only be beaten by just over two lengths behind Secret Blaze.
She will be thriving after that run and the middle barrier allows Patrick Moloney to settle midfield in the run rather than having his hand forced and having to flop out the back.
Not too fussed about the wet track given she can handle the going and has a great base of fitness to deal with the stamina sapping event.
Suggested Bet: Ghodeleine win at $4.2