The racing spotlight heads to Moonee Valley this Saturday for the running of the Group 1 Moir Stakes. With a cracking line-up assembled and $750,000 up for grabs, a huge local crowd is expected in Moonee Ponds! Around the grounds, Royal Randwick hosts the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes race day. With the Tramway Stakes, Furious Stakes, and Concorde Stakes also featuring on the monster card, all roads lead to the eastern suburbs. Did someone say spring!
The Valley Race 8
#4 Desert Lightning
Desert Lightning is ready to win. All performances this campaign have been good without scoring, and he was game in defeat in a red-hot edition of the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap. The Pride Of Dubai gelding will appreciate the significant drop-in class, and his record on soft surfaces must be respected. The step out in trip suits, and I suspect the talented six-year-old can feature at the pointy end of some spring majors. Hard to toss despite the poor barrier draw!
Attrition is the class runner of the field. The Churchill entire doesn’t win out of turn, however; his best performance here could produce a times and margins job. His form around Antino and Here De Shock reads well for this event, and the Group 1 winning six-year-old traditionally performs well at this stage of his campaign. His first-up performance was ok without threatening, and he has been well supported since acceptances. Too consistent and cagey to pot.
Suggested Bet: Desert Lightning @ $2.50
The Valley Race 9
#16 Esha
Esha has the X-factor and the Da Vinci code all wrapped up into one neat little package. The Extreme Choice filly has been brilliant in both career starts to date, and her latest victory at the track and distance was arrogant. The flashy three-year-old oozes class, and she deserves her shot at black-type despite her limited racing exposure and experience. Her jump out last week at Mornington smashed all on-course clocks, and I suspect several trainers were hoping she stayed as the first emergency. The one to beat if she can take the next step up in grade.
Baraqiel was an impressive first-up winner at the track and distance after long lay off due to injury. The time was slicker than my hair, and the big boy was given a perfect ride by the inform Ben Allen. The lightly-raced seven-year-old is undefeated second-up, and he loves racing at Moonee Valley more than Winx. All signs indicate he is back to his devasting best, and if he can find some cover from the awkward gate during the middle stages of the race, he can figure in the finish. The possibility of producing a flat second-up performance after a long holiday is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Esha @ $5.00
#10 Princess Que
Princess Que is over the odds. The Toronado mare is flying, and I suspect a victory here could springboard into her some serious spring events. I expect her to pilot the field when they ping the lids, and she finds her pet distance on Saturday. The talented four-year-old holds her form once her eye is in, and I suspect her quote will shorten before the barriers open. The class rise is the primary concern.
King Zephyr will start one of the shortest priced favourites of the meeting. The Hallowed Crown gelding resumes after producing a near perfect autumn, and I suspect he may jump in the red. His recent jump outs were first-class, and if he is cherry ripe for his fresh assignment, the rest of the field could be racing for the minor end of the prize. I fear he may need a couple of runs under his belt.
Suggested Bet: Princess Que @ $9.00
Royal Randwick Race 6
#1 Within The Law
Within The Law was good, fresh behind a smart one. The Lucky Vega filly is undefeated second-up, and the drier conditions play into her favour. Jason Collett has a winning association with the talented three-year-old, and the big girl gives 100% effort at each outing. The Baker polish must be respected, and I suspect her quote will continue to shorten before they jump and run for the doctor. Starting from a different suburb is the primary concern.
Agarwood has been well supported early doors. The Wootton Bassett filly is coming off an average first-up performance, and I suspect it may pay dividends to forgive and forget that she went around. The wet track didn’t help her cause, and I suspect the firmer track will produce a more forward and bold showing on Saturday. From barrier 10, she will roll forward and throw her hat into the ring, and if she can find the bunny uncontested during the early stages of the race, she may prove hard to catch.
Suggested Bet: Within The Law @ $4.80
Royal Randwick Race 7
#2 Ceolwulf
Ceolwulf caught the eyes of punters late first-up behind the world-class Via Sistina. The step out to a mile suits, and his second-up record must be respected. The drier conditions play into his favour, and he has the ability to reel of sizzling late sectionals from a different postcode. The big boy strips fitter as a result of his fresh outing, and I suspect he will be flying home to grab his rivals in the shadows. His racing pattern and style always requires an element of good fortune.
Lindermann will roll forward and give a good sight, The form around him from the autumn is sensational, and I suspect he is ready to give some cheek after producing a teasing first-up performance. The step out in trip suits, and his record on top of the ground must be respected. The Lonhro gelding tends to find one or two better at the pointy end of the contest. A must for all broader multiples and exotics.
Suggested Bet: Ceolwulf @ $2.10
Royal Randwick Race 8
#9 In Flight
In Flight arrives in old Sydney Town, up and about. The Flying Artie mare has won three on the bounce, and she looks poised to strike on Saturday after a little freshen up. Her recent trial was ominous, and the current track conditions will suit to a tee. Her record at the track and trip reads well for this event, and I suspect she has the speed and residual fitness to catch her more fancied rivals by surprise over the short and sharp scamper. Over the odds!
Lady Shenandoah is one classy customer! The Snitzel mare produced an undefeated autumn, and she deservedly tasted Group 1 success. Her three trials leading into her first-up outing were professional as they come, and the inside draw should give her opposition sleepless nights leading into the Group 3 event. The five-furlong sprint is well short of her preferred distance. Watch for her late!
Suggested Bet: In Flight @ $15.00
