Welcome to our preview and horse racing betting tips for night racing at Moonee Valley on Friday, March 16th.
We have an eight-race card on a Good 4 track with the rail in the True out 4m. As always, on pace is set to be advantageous.
MOONEE VALLEY RACING TIPS
Best Bet: Race 7 #1 Cliff’s Edge
Best Value: Race 6 #3 Cannyescent / #4 Malibu Style
RACE 1
Tough race to start with a number of horses on debut and a few of those not seen publicly at the trials. A few of these did trial on the same day at Cranbourne on March 5th. (7) Starvirgo was probably the best of those, kicking up to lead just about all the way in 46.40secs for the 800m, which is faster than the rest of the horses from this race that trialled at Cranbourne on that day. (13) Icon won his trial in 46.69secs, beating (14) Sir Harald by 1.75L. (4) Gorokan Express is on debut from the Lindsay Park stable, who are outstanding with two-year-olds. (12) Yulong Monoceros ran in some strong races in his first prep and returned with a good trial at Cranbourne, albeit in slower time than Starvirgo. Has to be included.
TIP: (7) Starvirgo
RACE 2
(4) Divine Command looks very tough to beat here. She’s run 2nd over this track and distance at her past two starts and she was incredibly luckless in the most recent of those. The apprentice keeps the ride here and starts from the same barrier as last start, so hopefully he gets it right tonight. If he does, she should win at $1.90. (2) Miss Danni should lead this field and there doesn’t seem to be too much speed on paper, which gives her the chance to lead all the way. (3) Rock Away has had three runs when third up from a spell and has never placed so I’m happy to take it on, while (6) Isle Of Capri is likely to be towards the back of the small field from the draw.
TIP: (4) Divine Command
RACE 3
Make it a running double for Darren Weir here, who holds a strong hand with two good chances. (3) Bringit appreciated the step up to 2000m last start, winning easily in this grade at Stawell. Fit now, stays at the 2000m and just needs a good ride from the awkward barrier. Currently $2.90. The stablemate (7) Skilled Hunter dropped back to 2000m after a string of 2400m-2500m races, and cruised home to win in BM58 grade. Back up in grade here but gets Mark Zahra on board and draws well. The value could be (11) High Sierra, who only broke through in maiden grade last start but has come back well this prep and will continue to appreciate the rise in distance.
TIP: (3) Bringit
RACE 4
Wide open race. (6) Scoliaro was very impressive winning over this track and distance last start in weaker grade. Steps up to BM70 class here but based on her past couple of runs she is well and truly up to it. (2) El Rada resumed from a two-month break to win well at Ballarat in this grade. Draws barrier 1 here so expect her to kick up on the inside and possibly lead. (9) Working From Home is a mare I was keen on first up in a much harder race in Saturday grade behind the likes of Hear The Chant. She has the speed to get across from barrier 9 and if she does so without spending too many tickets, she has the ability to win at $6.50. (15) Gala Moshea was sound first up at Caulfield and won second up last preparation so must be included.
TIP: (6) Scolario / (9) Working From Home EW
RACE 5
955m race here which can sometimes throw up a rough result but I think there’s three chances here. (6) Another Diamond probably leads this and looks to have been set for this first up from a spell. She’s got a decent record over this track and distance, she’s got the blinkers on for the first time, and the moisture in the track will suit her. Draws well and looks hard to beat at $6. (4) Gibbon is also at $6 and comes into this third up from a spell. From barrier 7 he will sit behind the hot tempo up front and if he gets clear running at the right time he can launch over the top late. (1) Ashlor resumes from a spell here with the blinkers on for the first time, much like Another Diamond, and has won better races than this. Has won his only start at the track and should be competitive.
TIP: (6) Another Diamond / (4) Gibbon EW
RACE 6
This is a cracking race but it’s an absolute lottery! There’s about eight legitimate chances. I’m going to have a little throw at the stumps at two at longer odds. (3) Cannyescent comes into this third up from a spell and ready to peak. He was well backed last start but his second up record is very poor – he always runs flat – but he’s won third up so he can tend to bounce back from that. He draws well here and at $13 I’m having something on. Another at big odds is (4) Malibu Style who was also fairly well backed first up when just fair behind Secret Agenda. He draws barrier 1 here so can kick up and lead or box seat. Blinkers back on, second up, $21. (8) Whispering Brook makes her debut for Darren Weir here after being transferred from Simon Miller in WA. Weir normally improves them lengths and for that reason, she terrifies me. (13) Land Of Plenty also makes his debut for Darren Weir. He’s always shown plenty of ability without getting the wins on the board and this might just be the move that makes him an A-grader. (6) Glenall comes out of the Oakleigh Plate, (7) Oak Door and (1) Bassett not hopeless.
TIP: (3) Cannyescent EW / (4) Malibu Style EW
RACE 7
(1) CLIFF’S EDGE should just win this. If he’s at his best and can reproduce anything like his run in the Moonee Valley Vase behind Aloisia last prep, he’ll win. Should go straight to the front and I doubt they’ll catch him. (2) Astoria will appreciate the rise in trip but will be coming from a long way back. (8) Think Positive is the value after a luckless run last start in the same race as Astoria, while (3) Levendi at his best would be competitive but you’d have to take him on trust.
TIP: Cliff’s Edge
RACE 8
(13) Mogul Empire comes across from South Australia for this race after winning his maiden at Gawler last start by 8L. This isn’t the most competitive race so he can go on with it here. (5) Sassoon is up to a race like this and hasn’t been far away in recent starts. Draws well and the claim helps. (2) Calendar Lad, (7) Eagle Spirit and (14) Maxey Campo others to inclide.
TIP: (13) Mogul Empire
QUADDIE
1, 4, 6, 8
1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13
1
13
$100 = 312.5%
