MOONEE VALLEY Australia Night January 26.
A forecast hot night for Australia Day racing under lights (eventually) – rail true for good meeting and not surprised if those racing forward advantaged.
BEST BET: Race 2 #7 SAM’S IMAGE, Race 5 #1 BURNING FRONT
BEST VALUE: Race 7 #2 BONDEIGER
Race 1: 5-4-1-6
After early scratchings we still have Native Soldier, Fandral and Bold Type still in this and Diamond Previews Friday at Caulfield. That said, PHONEME isn’t and should win this no matter who is runs against, liked its recent jumpout at Flemington, a $100k Choisir colt who looks well prepped to go here. The well named FANDRAL, a NZ$310k I Am Invincible (Marvel comic fans will get the link to the dam and the name), showed up in recent unofficial Cranbourne trial and gets right alley for debut. NATIVE SOLDIER got the confidence booster chasing at Geelong, would be better placed here than Fri. YULONG DECLARE is respected off a jumpout.
SUGGESTED: Wait till will see who runs but PHONEME the one to beat.
Race 2: 7-3-8-4
Good speed here but no better form than SAM’S IMAGE who beat the exciting Nature Strip here over 1000m before Flemington “failure”. Trialled since and that was impressive at Tatura. The one to beat clearly. KAKANUI is a winner course and distance. FRAULEIN RUSTIE is racing well. KING OF THE ARK was good winning on resumption.
SUGGESTED: SAM’S IMAGE to win.
Race 3: 1-8-5-6
Clearly BELWAZI the one to beat again after controlling speed Cranbourne win last time. Unlucky behind Kakanui (runs race 2) MV 955. DIVERTENTE probably goes forward with it, just beaten by King Of The Ark (also runs race 2). Think its over the odds. JOCASTA will need luck from the inside gate behind a chaser. SISTER KITTY MAC is a speedy mare who has won over the 1000m here.
SUGGESTED: Backing BELWAZI but hopefully not too short – about $2.8 is acceptable.
Race 4: 1-5-4-6
The night’s feature and only 6 to go so shoved early into the program. Really looks a race for BRAVE SMASH after his big earning 2nd in The Everest, had a few trips away from The Bool for Weir country race like jumpouts. Not huge speed so makes it more advantageous for the best horse. THRONUM (ex Waterhouse/Bott) also resumes and has made good progression pretty quickly. MR SNEAKY is talented, especially fresh, FLIPPANT has a fitness edge if that is too help.
SUGGESTED: Should be too classy BRAVE SMASH – any hint of black figures would be a steal.
Race 5: 1-6-4-8
Simple equation (on paper anyway), the back in form super tough BURNING FRONT runs along, leads, controls, kicks and can he stave off the on the rise WIDGEE TURF. I say yes. He’s won 3 from 6 here and all at the 1500m. Widgee Turf beat one of Weir’s last start Royal Ace, who wouldn’t be mentioned alongside “Bernie” but not disrespecting a winner who keeps winning. ZEBRINZ/AMADEUS for the multiples.
Race 6: 2-5-4-1
PREVAILING WINDS had no luck at Caulfield in useful race and brings a fitness edge (and perhaps a little bit of quality to this) where many rivals a little untapped or unproved past maiden grade yet. They include ILLUMICON (good Bendigo maiden winner) and WELD (Echuca). MR SO AND SO went from a Echuca maiden to running well in Listed company at Flemington end of Cup week – beat home ANDAZ in that race and it also resumed here.
SUGGESTED: You might get a few tips here but don’t ignore the obvious in PREVAILING WINDS.
Race 7: 2-7-8-4
Don’t tell anyone – I’m sticking with BONDEIGER (just one last time), yes it’s been forever since a win but reckon Weir has worked this up to fitness and a suitable race 2500m – tempo has just been against last 3 and if it wasn’t Bondeiger you’d be saying the runs were ok for a coming winner. One last time! ROKDA KASBA graduated to a useful BM64 win leading all the way Sandown. Don’t say the 2500m will be an issue. RAINDROPS ON ROSES just missed TUFF BICKIE (that’s also HIS KYLLACHY/CASTLE HACKETT form).
Race 8: 9-1-7-8
Another one for Weir with the emerging KNIGHT COMMANDER in right race again after a C1 win Geelong, won by a margin and out to 1200m again. Looks as though gets ideal run. KIEVANN is a veteran MV 1000m horses (17 goes for 3 wins, 4 placings), just runs well here – Just Hifalutin run 3 back good here and excuses Kilmore. STRYKINGLEE is holding good form and placed 2/3 here. BELIEVING could have a better record but is racing well this time in.
SUGGESTED: KNIGHT COMMANDER might be going somewhere.
QUADDIE:
1-6
1-2-4-5-7-10
1-2-4-6-7-8-10
7-9
$84 for 50%