We head to Moonee Valley for the greatest two minutes in sport, the weight-for-age championships of Australasia, the WS Cox Plate. Moonee Ponds will be packed to the rafters with the Group 2 Vase and the Group 2 Crystal Mile also featuring on the stunning program. In Sydney, the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes will have punters flocking to Royal Randwick. With a menagerie of Group and Listed events on the card, another healthy crowd is expected in the eastern suburbs.
Moonee Valley Race 9
#2 PROGNOSIS
Prognosis is world-class. The Deep Impact entire boasts serious form around last year’s winner, Romantic Warrior, and he also finished within four lengths of the global superstar Equinox in Japan’s premier event. His record at the trip is outrageous, and he has the ability to produce long and devastating displays of speed and power. His best performance here could be simply too good for the local contingency, and the flood of early money indicates another bold performance. His barrier manners, and ability to bomb the start of a race, is the biggest deterrent.
Pride Of Jenni will lead the field a merry dance. The Pride Of Dubai mare looks dangerous on the quick backup, and the tight-turning Moonee Valley circuit suits her unconventional racing pattern and style. The longer trip is ideal at this stage of her campaign, and I expect her to look the winner as they charge past the school. The seven-year-old marvel is a great endorsement for our sport, and a victory here could send the predicated sell-out crowd into a frenzy. I fear she maybe a sitting duck late.
Suggested Bet: Prognosis @ $3.50
Moonee Valley Race 8
#11 Plenty Of Ammo
Plenty Of Ammo is low-flying! The Rebel Raider mare turned heads fresh, and she looks well placed in this company second-up. The lightly raced six-year-old is undefeated at the trip, and barrier four provides Jordan Childs a thesis of options at the jump. The 55.5kg is a luxury, and I suspect this event has been a long-range target from the camp. Hard to toss!
Uncle Bryn caused a boilover second-up at Flemington. The Sea The Stars gelding won at cricket score odds, and he put an extremely experienced field to the sword a long way from home. His record at the distance speaks volumes, and he looks ideally drawn on the dulex. Over the odds!
Suggested Bet: Plenty Of Ammo @ $4.50
#5 I Am Unstoppable
I Am Unstoppable made an impressive return to racing for his new stable. The I Am Invincible four-year-old savaged the line late after a slow start, and he put the writing on the wall for a successful and fruitful spring campaign. His best three-year-old form reads extremely well for this event, and if he can bring his best behaviour and manners to race day, I expect him to figure in the finish. The awkward alley and his overall winning record are among the primary concerns.
Mornington Glory is coming off an average effort at Caulfield. His form prior was supreme, and he loves racing at Moonee Valley more than So You Think. The step out in distance is the big query, and the length of his current campaign could come back against him when the whips are cracking. Group 1 winner who may have done enough this preparation.
Suggested Bet: I Am Unstoppable @ $4.80
Moonee Valley Race 6
#2 Red Aces
Red Aces gets a gurnsey after being sensationally scratched at the barriers at his latest outing. The Dundeel colt was good prior behind Keenland at Flemington, and I suspect it was a blessing in disguise that he was ruled out of last Saturday’s affair. They ran fifteen lengths slower than benchmark standard for the first 1000m, and I am unsure if the big boy would have appreciated the pedestrian tempo throughout. He meets similar opposition and finds a very winnable assignment before a tilt at our oldest tradition, the Victoria Derby. The one to beat.
Politely Dun is rock-hard fit. The Dundeel gelding was good without winning two starts back at headquarters, and he was a dominant winner at Ballarat at his latest outing. The 2040m is ideal at this stage of his preparation, and I suspect he has the fitness edge on the majority of his opponents. The awkward barrier is his biggest obstacle.
Suggested Bet: Red Aces @ $3.70
Randwick Race 7
#2 Swiftfalcon
Swiftfalcon is flying at present. The Exceedance gelding hasn’t missed a top-two finish this preparation, and he has been crying out for the 2000m since the moon landing. The awkward barrier got the enigmatic three-year-old tossed in the Gloaming, and he looks ready to explode on Saturday. He will drift back in, give his rivals a head start, and if he can stay in touch during the middle stages of the race, I expect him to prove too strong late. His racing pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune.
El Castello is undefeated this preparation. The Castelvecchio colt had the perfect trip in transit at his latest outing, and he put his rivals to the sword before they reached the final furlong. The 2000m looks ideal at this stage of his campaign, and I suspect he will pilot the field with clean break from the barriers. His fate may be decided during the early stages of the race.
Suggested Bet: Swiftfalcon @ $3.50
Randwick Race 6
#2 Fawkner Park
Fawkner Park is coming off a forgive run in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes. The Zoffany gelding didn’t fire a shot, and I suspect it may pay dividends to forget that he went around. His second-up record is reasonable, and he traditionally performs well at this stage of his campaign. From barrier eight, he will sit midfield in the running line, and if he is presented with his run at the right time, I expect him to figure in the finish. Too progressive and talented to dismiss.
Numerian resumes after a string of impressive barrier trials. The Holy Roman Emperor gelding is a winner first-up, and he has tasted victory over the distance during his last preparation. The nine-year-old will roll forward and dictate the tempo, and if the classy galloper can catch his rivals napping throughout, he may prove hard to catch. He tends to mix his form.
Suggested Bet: Fawkner Park @ $4.80
