MOONEE VALLEY
MOONEE VALLEY FRIDAY February 2
GOOD 4 (4.53) RAIL: +2M
BEST BET: PERSIAN EMPIRE (race 5 #9)
BEST VALUE: CURRAGH (Race 7 #1)
Race 1: 3-4-6-2
Leaning the experience and JARMANAGIC, a $50k Starspangledbanner (getting away from the straight where went well resuming) over the favourite SANCTIMONIUS, $90k Foxwedge (unlucky in Sydney but own fault). CROSS LEGEND ($350k Sebring) pick of debutantes but you’d hope the $1.4 IFYOUKNOWHATIMEAN (Sebring) has got some talent.
SUGGESTED: Tough start but JARMANAGIC appeals.
Race 2: 8-10-1-4
This time going with the first starters of which PAPER PLANE ($850 Fastnet Rock) and VIENESE STAR ($240k I Am Invincible) pick from the jumpouts. ALL TOO HANDY ($30k All too Hard) will improve off the solid debut.
SUGGESTED: Tread warily, but PAPER PLANE has shown me enough to go with it.
Race 3: 5-4-1-2
Track was too wet for SHAMPION at Cranbourne. Is a proven 3000m horse, has trialled since that and firmer track a big plus. EYES ARE BLUE won a moderate BM58 over 2460m but has good grounding for the 3000m now. Not forgetting CRAFTY CRUISER placed 6 of 7 3000m here. SCRAPS can improve.
SUGGESTED: SHAMPION is no champion but good enough for this on better ground.
Race 4: 4-3-7-6
Looks terrific option for QUILISTA, who beat the smart Theanswermyfriend fresh last campaign and ended up in black type races in the spring. If it’s not it (and think it will be) its EL SICARIO who is finally stringing his ability into performances after getting it right. ANGRY GEE is in form, PUNT CLUB runs well at The Valley.
SUGGEESTED: QUILISTA too classy.
Race 5: 9-7-3-5
The drop back to 1600m was always going to be the problem at Caulfield for PERSIAN EMPIRE and so it was. That was run to keep ticking over for a Tassie Derby and back out to the 2040m from good draw pressing forward looks absolutely ideal. MARCHING ON is a threat, holding form and ran well only time here. EUREKA STREET is ready to win and think racing pattern suits The Valley. BIG PAT’S PONTIAC is racing well and worthy here.
SUGGESTED: PERSIAN EMPIRE to win.
Race 6: 6-2-1-11
Little wonder early punters have found O’LOHNRO BAY. Charged home behind our value winner Comrade Ned at Sandown and didn’t really get clear running. Reckon can land toucher closer in this map despite still being 1200m. Value. WRECKING BALL has been well placed, including a trip to Hanging Rock for a BM64 win, ok since behind Belwazi, who’d be close to favourite here. EXCITEMENT will dig up from inside, how much pressure matters. SIMEULUE is lightly raced with a touch of upside.
SUGGESTED: Money talks for O’LOHNRO BAY.
Race 7: 1-9-10-4
Again declaring small interest in ownership top pick CURRAGH. Race was against him in many ways resuming at Flemington, track to firm, tempo off and on but did enough, now gets to the strath-ayr surface and 1600m and way overs at $10. Highest rated horse here for a reason, rarely runs poorly, especially early in a campaign. Obviously THE AVENGER (also in Saturday) and SO POYSED (good winning 2nd-up over Wednesday’s unlucky Downhearted) are threats and market price reflects that. DOMINO VITALE beat Ancient History (see race 5) at Ballarat and is a winner here at the 1600m.
SUGGESTED: CURRAGH is overs.
Race 8: 1-9-8-7
BRUGAL REWARD back to The Valley where 2 wins and a 3rd from 4 starts for Weir is top pick. Pretty even mares race to close the night and quaddie. It rates 13 points higher than my second pick ALASKAN SUN, but it just is struggling to win a race. That’s not a knock and can do so here. FOR A SONG keeps it simple, out of trouble, racing forward and racing well. CULLEMMY’S DIAMOND was $41 when good and close to For A Song at Caulfield so must be respected.
SUGGESTED: BRUGAL REWARD on top.
QUADDIE
9
1-2-6-11
1-4-9-10
1-8-9
$48 for 100%