As the 2022/2023 season ends, we head to Moonee Valley to finish the racing year with a bang. With premierships and bragging rights on the line, all roads to the valley, a place where legends are made! With spring in the air, find out who our experts are keeping a close eye on.
Moonee Valley Race 6
#4 Ferago
Ferago is racing in great spirit. The Fiorente gelding was a dominant winner two starts back on a bottomless track, and he was game in defeat at his latest outing in a hot-form race. He will relish the step out to 2500m, and he should get the run of the race from the inside draw. He is no stranger to the Benchmark 78 class, and with even luck in transit, I expect him to figure in the finish. Big watch!
Thorin broke through last start for a well-deserved victory. The Soldier Hollow gelding had been knocking on the door all campaign, and he finally got rewarded for his effort and consistency at Caulfield. The rising seven-year-old will roll forward in search of the lead from the tricky gate, and if he can find the top spot uncontested, he will give a good sight. His record at the track and distance are among the primary concerns.
Claidheamh Mor looked like the winner last-start. The Dundeel gelding carried the grandstand, and he fought extremely hard only to be nabbed in the shadows. The apprentice’s claim plays into his favour, and he is ready to step out in distance. From the middle gate, he can sit in touch with the peloton, and if he doesn’t get into an early-speed battle, he can figure in the finish. I am unsure how much is left in the tank after his latest gruelling outing.
Suggested Bet: Ferago @ $6.50
Moonee Valley RACE 7
#10 Chief Altony
Chief Altony is ready to win! All runs this preparation have been full of merit, and he gets his chance to break through on Saturday in a very winnable race. His best form reads incredibly well for this event, and the 53kg on his back is a luxury. The mile is in his wheelhouse, and the appointment of Craig Williams could prove a winning difference. His recent winning record is the primary concern.
Urban Oasis can make a winning Australian debut for the Nick Ryan camp. The Fast Company gelding has an impressive international record and looks well-placed in this company. He is undefeated at the distance, and I am sure the stable has him wound up for a first-up tilt. The 2kg apprentice claim puts one hoof on the till, and there has been a flood of money for him in early betting. His first-up record is the only deterrent.
After producing an eye-catching run fresh for his new stable, Royal Mile will have supporters. The Danerich gelding has an impressive second-up record and looks well suited stepping out in distance. From barrier twelve, he will cross and lead, and if he can pinch some cheap sectionals in-transit, he will look the winner turning for home.
Suggested Bet: Chief Altony @ $4.20
Moonee Valley Race 8
#3 La Zucca
La Zucca looks poised to strike at a decent price. The Unencumbered mare is having a career-defining campaign, and her last-start win at Sandown caught the eyes of punters. She can sit in transit from the middle gate with cover, and if she is presented to the middle of the track at the right time, she can figure in the finish. Over the odds!
Passione is too consistent to dismiss. The Proisir mare won impressively two starts back, and she was game in defeat at her latest outing in a speedy affair. She can sit in the box seat from barrier two, and if she sees rails like a greyhound on straightening, she may prove too strong late. The length of her campaign may come against her.
Electric Belle is a must for all broader exotics and multiples. Both runs this campaign have been ominous, and I suspect she is ready to peak third-up from a spell. From barrier seven, she can sit just outside the lead, and if she doesn’t spend her pennies too early, she can threaten. The allocated weight and her recent winning record are among the primary concerns.
Suggested Bet: La Zucca @ $15.00
Moonee Valley Race 9
#10 Deprivation
Deprivation looks dangerous, jumping from an inside draw. The No Nay Never gelding has an outrageous first-up record and is a track and distance specialist. The rising five-year-old will appreciate the current track conditions, and there has been an avalanche of money for him in early betting. If he gets a clear passage as they head for home, I expect him to greet the judge before his rivals.
Show Some Decorum can resume a winner. The Starspangledbanner gelding has a near faultless fresh record, and he finds his pet distance here. From the middle gate, he will roll forward and take bad luck out of the equation, and if he is left to his own devices in front, the race could be over before they pass the school. The allocated weight is his biggest obstacle.
Kaliuwaa Falls is ultra-consistent. The Sacred Falls gelding hasn’t put a foot wrong this preparation, and he finds a winnable assignment on Saturday. From the middle gate, I suspect him to sit midfield with cover, and if Dean Yendall presses the go button at the right time, I expect him to make his presence felt. Big watch!
Suggested Bet: Deprivation @ $4.20
