What a mouthwatering weekend of racing we have in front of us. We kick it off at Moonee Valley Friday night for the running of the Group 1 Manikato Stakes. With the Group 2 Stutt Stakes, Feehan Stakes, and Stocks Stakes also featuring, Moonee Ponds will be rocking and packed to the rafters! On Saturday we head to Sandown for the Group 3 Sandown Stakes meeting, while in Sydney town punters will flock to Rosehill Gardens for the $1,000,000 Group 1 Golden Rose. How good is spring!
The Valley Race 4 - Friday night
#4 PRIDE OF JENNI
Pride Of Jenni is ready to win. The Pride Of Dubai mare was back to her best second-up at Flemington, and she put the writing on the wall for a peak performance third-up from a spell. The current track conditions will suit, and I suspect she has taken significant benefit from her bold effort at headquarters. Sticking to the mile is advantageous, and I expect her to put the race to bed as they run past the school. She will give a great sight!
Mr Brightside snatched victory in the shadows at his latest outing. The Bullbars gelding occupied the box seat throughout, and he showed his class late. The people’s horse doesn’t know how to run a bad race, and I expect him to figure in the finish with even luck in transit. I would prefer to see him at 2000m at this stage of his campaign.
Suggested Bet: Pride Of Jenni @ $2.10
The Valley RACE 7 - Friday Night
#8 ESTRIELLA
Estriella was okay without winning fresh in Group 1 Moir. The step out in trip is advantageous, and she strips fitter after her recent outing. The progressive four-year-old mare traditionally performs well second-up, and the versatility she exhibits during her races is well beyond her age and experience. She is a marvel, and I am expecting another bold and honest performance. Her fate may be decided early, jumping from another suburb.
Growing Empire has turned heads this preparation. The Zoustar colt is chasing five wins on the bounce, and he looks poised to strike under the weight-for-age scale carrying a measly 52kg. His career record early doors must be respected, and I suspect he has the fitness edge on the majority of his rivals. The cattle that he has beating, and the significant class rise are among the primary concerns.
Suggested Bet: Estriella @ $7.00
#4 Semana
Semana looks extremely well placed in this company. The Winning Rupert mare was brilliant without winning the Winx Stakes fresh, and the 55kg looks luxurious. The predicated wet conditions play into her favour, and her residual fitness from the Brisbane winter carnival could prove the winning difference. Her record at the distance is outrageous, and I suspect she will get the perfect cart into the race from the middle gate. Hard to toss!
Amelia’s Jewel returned to racing in fine style. The Siyouni mare finished on the heels on the talented Royal Passage, and she traditionally performs extremely well second-up from a spell. From barrier five, she can sit midfield with cover, and if the in-form Tommy Berry presses the go button at the right time, I expect her to figure in the finish. A soft or heavy track could be her undoing.
Suggested Bet: Semana @ $3.00
Rosehill Race 8
#1 Broadsiding
Broadsiding resumes with an air of expectation. The Too Darn Hot colt is coming off an ultra-impressive Brisbane winter campaign, and he looks the real deal. His trials leading into this Group 1 assignment have been first-class, and I suspect he is in for a career-defining preparation. The key booking of James McDonald should fill his followers with confidence, and I suspect Godolphin wouldn’t be pressing the button if he wasn’t cherry-ripe. He handles all conditions, and he oozes class. Push the chips in!
Storm Boy bombed the start second-up. He travelled more ground than Donald Trump’s wig in-transit, and I suspect he will take plenty of benefit from the gut-busting performance. The Justify colt will appreciate the longer trip third-up from a spell, and I am confident this race has been on the radar longer than Raygun has been promoting the dancing kangaroo. He needs to be perfect jumping from the Bondi Iceberg barrier.
Suggested Bet: Broadsiding @ $3.00
Rosehill Race 9
#1 Celestial Legend
Celestial Legend looked a little plain fresh in a hot-form race. The Dundeel entire will appreciate the step out in trip, and he usually grows an extra leg second-up. He looks dangerous jumping from barrier two and strips fitter after his recent outing. His best form reads extremely well for this event, and if he produces his best effort here, the race could be over before they reach the final furlong. He needs to beat the handicapper!
Punch Lane was disappointing resuming after covering a stack of ground early. The So You Think gelding strips fitter, and I suspect his quote will diminish significantly if the heavens open. The 1500m will suit, and he will be savaging the line late from another suburb. His racing pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune. Over the odds.
Suggested Bet: Celestial Legend @ $5.00
Sandown Race 7
#11 Craig
Craig looks progressive. The Territories gelding raced extremely well throughout the winter, and he showed an explosive turn of foot fresh to score at Caulfield. He deserves his crack at stakes level, and I suspect his quote will shorten significantly before the barriers open on Saturday. The 54kg is advantageous, and I expect the 1500m will suit the big boy at this stage of his preparation. Upside galore!
Griff is well over the odds. The Caulfield Guineas winner has raced well without winning this preparation, and I suspect he is ready to produce a peak performance for the campaign. He gets out to his preferred distance range, and I expect him to pilot the field from a perfect inside draw. He will give a good sight, and he can upset his more fancied rivals at a decent price.
Suggested Bet: Craig @ $2.70
