Moonee Valley features the best racing in Victoria this Saturday! The Benchmark 100 is the main event on a typically tough and competitive summer program of racing. With several trainers in career best form, can anyone steal their thunder?
Moonee Valley Race 6
#2 Ice Pick Nick
Ice Pick Nick looks ready to win third-up from a spell. He was held up last start at a crucial stage, and I expect the camp is eager to atone here. He should be rock hard fit, and he wins here with the right run in transit.
Harbin looks well placed with the apprentice claim. He is having a breakthrough campaign and has previously won at this level. He will get every chance to record another victory from a perfect inside alley.
Vongole can run well here despite the cricket score odds. He was luckless last start, and I expect this to be the peak run of his preparation.
Suggested Bet: Ice Pick Nick @ $3.60
Moonee Valley RACE 7
#5 Sacred Palace
Sacred Palace produced a teasing run fresh at Sandown. From barrier one, I expect the gelding by Sacred Falls to improve dramatically second-up. With wet weather expected for Melbourne, he will be hard to beat in his preferred conditions. The Damien Oliver and Lindsay Smith combination must be respected.
Dance To Dubai was impressive last start at the track and distance. She led them a merry dance, and they couldn’t run her down. With three runs under her belt this preparation, her fitness will take her a long way in this event.
Bill The Boxer won’t know himself here, only carrying 59kg. He carried 62kg at Terang first-up and still managed to run the fastest last 600m of the program! He will be in the finish if he can repeat his last-start heroics.
Suggested Bet: Sacred Palace @ $10.00
Moonee Valley Race 8
#11 Pounding
Pounding can win here despite a sizeable gap between runs. She nearly tossed the inform Detonator Jack two starts ago before smashing her rivals in a good-form race at Flemington. The Jamie Kah factor must be respected, and the 3kg drop in weight is a huge positive.
Savannah Cloud is flying. He has put four consecutive wins together and is showing no signs of slowing down. The 2kg apprentice claim will help, and he always runs well at Moonee Valley.
The old boy So Si Bon impressively returned to the winner’s circle last start. If his back to his best, he could blow this field away. The 58kg and awkward barrier are the primary concerns.
Suggested Bet: Pounding @ $4.40
Moonee Valley Race 9
#15 Hennessy Lad
The Peter Moody-trained Hennessy Lad looks hard to beat from an inside barrier draw. Despite covering a fair bit of ground last start, he still loomed and tried to win. He should be rock hard fit for this third-up assignment, and jockey Luke Nolan is in vintage form.
Threeandfourpence looks to bounce back here after a luckless last-start effort. He got crowded at a crucial stage and was never really given a winning chance. Jamie Kah takes the ride, and I expect the gelding by War Front to appear in the shadows of the post.
Shock ‘Em Ova can run well despite the tricky gate. He was undefeated in his preparation, and I am interested to see how he performs first-up over a mile.
Suggested Bet: Hennessy Lad @ $5.00
