Stony Creek plays host to an eight-race card on the first Tuesday of January.
The BetDeluxe team is fresh off the New Year’s break and is ready to fire with the best bets.
Stony Creek race 1
#1 Artillery Force
Artillery Force has had a stable change since last running in maiden grade at Mornington and it might be what he needs to make that elevation for a win.
His last two runs have been in races run well above the maiden benchmark over those particular distances and he has not disgraced himself.
Interesting that the tongue tie goes on here, which will hopefully allow him to breath better in the run.
Barrier four is a handy barrier as well with Arron Lynch being able to land in good spot close to the speed.
Suggested Bet: Artillery Force each-way at $11 the win and $2.5 the place.
stony creek race 2
#9 Carlisle Bells
Carlisle Bells looks much better set up to win this race than she was when resuming at Kyneton last start.
The three-year-old filly was a massive drifter late in the betting at her first-up effort over 1469 metres and the market got it spot on as she was easily beaten.
Something clearly went amiss in that race, but we can be a bit forgiving of her given her jump outs showed signs that she is going well enough to break her maiden status.
Patrick Moloney is riding in solid form at the moment and that will only assist her chances as he looks to hunt up on the rail and hold a positive position early in the race.
Today should be the day she becomes a winner.
Suggested Bet: Carlisle Bells win at $2.8
stony creek race 5
#4 baronessa
Baronessa is in career-best form at the moment.
Her most recent effort was a runner-up finish behind the very heavily backed Night of Delight who has city credentials to her name.
It was a brave run from this four-year-old mare and she races on the quick back-up, which is a sign she has pulled up fantastically well.
She gets the all-important three-kilo claim off her back from Sheridan Clarke and should be able to find the lead with ease.
Tough to see her getting run down given the way the speed map opens up for her and based off what she did last start.
Suggested Bet: Baronessa win at $3.10
stony creek race 7
#11 chattering
Chattering is the horse who carries the minimum weight here, which looks a big advantage in this race given some of her rivals have to lug around 60kgs or more.
She ran well to finish second at Stawell over 2000 metres last start and now she comes back to 1700 metres.
Dropping down in distance to this type of race actually shapes a nice scenario with stamina needing to be at the forefront of this event given the speed battle we will likely see up front.
Just hoping Michael Poy can keep his mount close enough in the run to sprint home over the top of the fading leaders.
Suggested Bet: Chattering each-way at $10 the win and $3.2 the place.