MOONEE VALLEY
MOONEE VALLEY SATURDAY June 2
BEST BET: ICONOCLASM Race 8 #1.
BEST VALUE: ASHLOR Race 9 #3
Race 1: 1-2-7-4
ANJANA was good on debut albeit at $9 but made a huge progression to walk in 2nd start ($2.15) on a heavy 8 with form around that win strong. Onto firmer ground here but can get the right trial and the clear top pick. EMBRACE ME wore blinkers to beat Weir’s Farthing Wood (who had run 2nd Anjana at Wangaratta). SHE’S SENSATIONAL has prepped up with promise to go to the races. COSMIC RUBY was green on debut and the 1000m was too short.
SUGGESTED: ANJANA to win. Around $2.2 has gone, now looking $1.90 best.
Race 2: 1-2-13-10
WILLIAM THOMAS is a winner and the one to beat. Drawn to land perfect spot again as it did Caulfield when strong last time. BEL SONIC (11) has awkward draw on paper but pattern says will go back and get some cover. Good resuming given 6kg to winner and won 2nd-up last campaign. USAIN BOWLER will not surprise me here – flopped on synthetic when heavily backed – blinkers and other changes significant here. Scratchings have helped opposition including CRYSTAL SPIRIT (with good fresh record) and resuming here. Yes I AM SOMEONE has an undeniable chance off Mdn to BM70 win and for looks sound around latest.
SUGGESTED: WILLIAM THOMAS at $3.50 into $2.4 after some scratchings remains top bet, will have a spec bet on USAIN BOWLER at $18.
Race 3: 7-3-5-9
MOONLITE’S CHOICE (fresh here) is 2/3 1st-up but goes 1200m here and that is a plus. Again drawn to get stalking trail. CREATIVITY was beaten by DIVINE QUALITY 2 runs back but like the inside draw for on pace runner. RUN GYPSY RUN did enough resuming in race won by HEAR THE CHANT, fitter and with tongue tie.
SUGGESTED: MOONLITE’S CHOICE win at $4.4.
Race 4: 3-4-7-15.
Deep BM78 but YOU’VE BEEN HAD is a winner. Yes this is a tough draw but is tough and I think can be versatile. Fighting win at Cranbourne but that’s what winners do, BELWAZI resumes and is 2/2 fresh and with claim and draw is obvious danger. I can’t catch SAM’S IMAGE – beat NATURE STRIP (twice), last time at $61 making all the running. Has been here before and won but beaten also as a $2.15 chance. Could be the lure from draw to assist top pick though. STRYKINGLEE was good resuming on Hillside. Has run well here before and has advantageous claim and draw.
SUGGESTED: Bad alley but better odds for YOU’VE BEEN HAD ($5).
Race 5: 4-10-2-8
JAMAICAN RAIN is the key runner here (and now confirmed after dual accepting Rosehill). They have waited for this race after impressive 6 len win Cranbourne resuming. That was a heavy 10 but no issue dry and straight to 1500m. EVIL LIL missed behind HECTOPASCAL on Hillside and both respected again here, Evil Lil with a 2kg swing. MISS CLOONEY was good late when just missed SINGLE NOTE (on-pace runner), but another in the mix here.
SUGGESTED: JAMAICAN RAIN is short enough ($2) but looks winner.
Race 6: 10-6-13-12
Very tough race assessing where some of these sit, AKAVOROUN looks ready after 2 runs back. Am wary of SIXTIES GROOVE Aussie debut for Weir (A Royal Ascot 5th) would be good enough for this – ready? No betting lead though, solid around $9.5. Need to include Weir also with RAW IMPULSE who was much better in strong race last time. But going the fit and consistent MAGIC CONSUL back to 1600m and gets draw to suit after unlucky behind TARQUIN (flopped since but has blinkers now) at Flemington. Over the odds at $10. RIB EYE was good chasing MOSS ‘N’ DALE at Flemington which ties in Akavouron who is amongst chances as mentioned. JACQUINOT BAY is racing well and can figure but never been one of mine, if it wins, I’m out.
SUGGESTED: Loading quaddie but MAGIC CONSUL at $5.5 would be preferred bet but keen to assess SIXTIES GROOVE.
Race 7: 11-14-1-10
MY NORDIC HERO looks best option after chasing a much better Boom Time at Flemington but that was 4th run in, 2nd at 2000m and has improved each time so this looks ideal chance for 1st Aussie win. FOUR BY FOUR was in a lower BM84 on the same day and was good but they meet on level weights here. LITE’N IN MY VEINS is back out to 2040m and might be a challenge from draw but was sound in hot G3 Adelaide. MAGNAPAL was a $26 winner 2 runs back and then just found the ground a challenge at The Bool. Useful handicapper. Other hopes – including 2/5/6/7.
SUGGESTED: At $5 can have something on MY NORDIC HERO and keep quaddie alive with insurance.
Race 8: 1-2-7-12
Going to the well again with ICONOCLASM but it’s been a wishing well for punters with $2.6, $3 and $2 wins last 3 without the slightest of concerns. Away from Flemington should hardly be of concern either, has a brilliant racing pattern and as long as Ethan Brown has learned from his Lucky For All blunder and rides this like best horse in the race, it will win again. SIRCCONI is just about back, made the Stradbroke bound Peaceful State earn it in Adelaide and again will make own luck here (perhaps pressure the key to tempo). ANDAZ has been as good as can be chasing Fifty Stars last couple and now gets down to 54kg. Will run well again. WOULDA THOUGHT SO was good ($41) chasing Iconoclasm but doubt don’t fall into the weight trap (a 1.5kg advantage on that run) – it didn’t work for Andaz v Fifty Stars last week.
SUGGESTED: ICONOCLASM keeps delivering and the gift that keeps on giving. ($2.5 into $2.25 already).
Race 9: 2-3-10-6
Could easily make case for CAMDUS who was very good fresh and is 6/14 and 4 placings at 1200m but 2ndup form not as compelling. ASHLOR is under-rated, a winner here and under a length from Rich Charm is strong reference. WISE HERO looks safest from the draw here, Inn Keeper beat it him home at Caulfield and proven at The Valley. LEODORO (pattern key – runs on) next pick from SIR DONALD (almost there in Melb).
SUGGESTED: Putting this 5 in quaddie, not much between them, luck from draws the key. But something ASHLOR $5 will do as straight bet.
QUADDIE:
2-5-6-7-10-12-13
1-2-10-11-14
1
2-3-6-10-13
$87.50 for 50%