MOONEE VALLEY COX PLATE DAY Saturday October 28.
Track raced a little leaderish and close to fence last night, no real surprise when rail goes back to true but generally track is in great order and should play fairly for Cox Plate day. A light shower in town this morning but hasn’t affected the track to this stage (Good 3).
BEST BET: BIG DUKE race 6 #1
BEST VALUE: SIRBIBBLE race 2 #3
Race 1: 7-1-6-5
Can’t ignore the push given to us from Tony McEvoy at track work last week for trial winner FAROE but obviously this is a race of some difficulty. Happy to go with the stable but respecting gear change on GRAND CHALLENGE who has been found in early betting chopping its price in half. Liked what SETSUNA did Randwick debut then here Tuesday morning for experience. JAMWAAL is expensive Snitzel colt who showed ability in jumpout. But respecting BACKFILL and FIVE STAR GAL off hit-outs Tuesday.
SUGGESTED: Go FAROE but lightly.
Race 2: 3-2-1-4
Keen on SIRBIBBLE, scratched from Friday night for a Saturday 955m on track and trip he loves, especially fresh. BADAJOZ back in trip but draws for stalking trail. GUN CASE back to track he excels at after beaten by ROCK N GOLD Cranbourne last time out.
SUGGESTED: SIRBIBBLE wins.
Race 3: 2-4-6-9
DUCIMUS resumes in new stable and with gear change off good trial. Bowman and winkers get with TREKKING now. ÉCLAIR SUNSHINE (visor) and back in trip well suited here. EPTIMUM going through the grades and can measure up. Obviously if you like SINGLE BULLET, not going to sway you.
SUGGESTED: Think DUCIMUS ready to fire first up.
Race 4: 8-2-3-7
DEMERARA comes to Melbourne unbeaten but had a look at the Valley on Tuesday morning. Form lines stack up. JORDA was ok Flemington (poor post recovery) but race was run away from it. ROOMOOZ was terrific Tuesday and winkers off on track where beat Tulip first up. SANADAAT can get into the placings.
SUGGESTED: DEMERARA to remain unbeaten.
Race 5: 5-6-8-2
INVINCIBELLA comes to the Valley in great form but she’s a seasoned traveller. OREGON’S DAY can’t draw an alley and has outside of 9 again but too good to dismiss. SAVAPINSKI zipped around the Valley Tuesday and suspect pattern will suit, CONSOMMATEUR was terrific first up and can win. Good race.
SUGGESTED: Staying with the form of INVINCIBELLA.
Race 6: 1-3-7-2
Sense of timing for BIG DUKE via Weir genius here. Too tough in Randwick St Leger, is a winner here, qualified for the Melbourne Cup and following a Prince Of Penzance like path. Should win and beat the rejuvenated AUVRAY again, CISMONTANE looks the leader and that may advantage here. LIBRAN has good grounding to grind away again.
SUGGESTED: BIG DUKE to win.
Race 7: 4-2-5-8
Not that keen on these as Aloisia heads to the Vase to leave an even bunch. Going MINTHA, the maiden, who was 1200m to 1600m in the Guineas against the boys and ran a little flat that way, now fitter and ready. BANISH sound at 1400m Cranbourne albeit BM70. Stablemate SPEEDWAY is back in trip and record trip is excellent. TOUCH OF MINK ready for 1600m also.
SUGGESTED: Start thinking about Cox Plate. If you must build quaddie off this and go wide.
Race 8: 3-1-8-4
BURNING FRONT absolutely ready after some weird tactics last week against him but brave and tough to the finish. Has won 3/5 here and being drawn out gets to see what RELIGIFY wants to do here (Helpful Jungle Edge out). IT’S SOMEWHAT won Doncaster 2nd-up last campaign. Conditions suit. SOUND PROPOSITION maintaining form well.
SUGGESTED: Keen on BURNING FRONT.
Race 9: 8-3-2-9
Well it’s all about WINX of course and she’ll win so as a punter what do you do? Watch and enjoy or play the favourite out markets and go blinkered HUMIDOR to bounce and run second from stablemate GAILO CHOP. ROYAL SYMPHONY can run top four but this is more about the event than the punt.
SUGGESTED: Well, enjoy WINX and maybe back HUMIDOR to run second.
Race 10: 9-1-3-5
Have to lean with the filly ALOISIA off strong 1000 Guineas win which showed clear liking for this trip next (now). CLIFF’S EDGE was brilliantly ridden to win last week and maintains own luck again here. Right race. SALSAMOR was sound from back in Guineas and ready for this. VIN DE DANCE is the snoozer on the rise on great hands training and jockey wise.
SUGGESTED: looks ALOISIA
Quaddie:
2-3-4-5-6-8
1-3-4-8
8
1-3-9
$62 for $1.