The amphitheatre of Moonee Valley comes back to life, albeit without a crowd this weekend as the 2020/21 racing season in Victoria ends on Saturday.
The Wizard of Odds goes through the best bets ahead of an exciting nine-race card.
Moonee Valley Race 1
#3 Frostin'
Frostin’ comes into this race with the ultimate gear change; gelded.
He showed good signs in his first preparation when running respectfully behind the smart filly Enthaar on debut.
The two-year-old sprinter then went on to compete in three other races throughout that campaign and eventually broke his maiden at his third start.
Peter and Paul Snowden have given him two very quiet Flemington jumpouts over 800 metres but he is ready to explode upon resumption.
Damien Lane has been booked which signals big intent first-up.
Suggested Bet: Frostin’ each-way at $6 the win and $1.95 the place
Moonee Valley race 2
#10 Sweet Mary
A very smart debut by Sweet Mary has her right in the mix to make city grade at only her second career start.
She had jumped out quite stylishly in the lead-up to her debut run and subsequent win at Casterton over 1200 metres.
Given there looks to be a hot speed engaged early in this race, the set up of dropping back from 1200 metres to 1000 metres and taking sit is perfect.
Draws an ideal barrier to get a lovely cart in behind the speed and she has proven to have a sharp turn of foot which is needed at this track.
Making her the best of the day.
Suggested Bet: Sweet Mary each-way at
Suggested Exotic: Boxed Trifecta – 2, 3, 5
Moonee Valley Race 6
#10 White Hibiscus
Get the inkling Danny O’Brien has finally got to the bottom of White Hibiscus after multiple scratchings and unexpected poor performances in her career to date.
The four-year-old mare resumed from a fourth month break with a solid effort at Sandown running fourth over 1400 metres.
She then followed it up with a third place effort behind Ghodeleine when rising to the mile in BM-70 grade.
Now she is third-up, ready to peak and gets an all important weight swing on Ghodeleine.
Craig Williams has opted to stick with this mare leading us to believe she has a win in the locker come Saturday afternoon.
Suggested Bet: White Hibiscus win at $4.8
Moonee Valley race 7
#11 Carrie
Carrie looks the one to be with here.
She raced at BM-70 level over 2400 metres on a heavy nine surface at Sandown last start and ran a brave fourth after doing all the donkey work in the race.
It was her first try at 2400 metres and there is no doubt that effort will have her fitness levels peaking for this 2500-metre event.
Trainer Danny O’Brien has decided to use the services of gun senior jockey Damian Lane.
From barrier six, Lane should have no trouble either finding the lead or taking a perfect trailing run in behind the leaders.
Suggested Bet: Carrie each-way at $9 the win and $3 the place
Suggested Exotic: Trifecta – 5, 6, 11/ 5, 6, 11/ 5, 6, 11, 13, 14