Racing returns to the Valley in Melbourne this weekend with a nine race card to find winners for. The track is rated a Good 4 with the rail True. We haven't raced here for several weeks so the early races may favour front runners.
We have betting tips and comments below for every race!
Race 1
A race with three first starters here so hard to be confident but happy to take the $5.50 for WANTED DIVA. Hayes said before her debut run that she was a filly to follow and sure enough she won her second start at Cranbourne. She had the run of the race there and won't get such an easy run here, but I think she'll be able to slot in up front from barrier 7. Craig Williams takes the ride which is a strong sign and Hayes said she has trained on well and expects her to be very competitive here. Think the odds are good. The value could be Admiral Michelle who led and finished 2nd to Wanted Diva on debut. As I said above, the rail could be on fire early so if she finds the front she could be hard to run down at $10. Backing both.
Tip: Wanted Diva / Admiral Michelle EW
Race 2
Difficult race to assess with nothing really standing out. Whistle Baby, Telopea, Vital Importance, Majestic Lass and Swiss Kiss all have winning claims, but I'll stick with the favourite GREY STREET who is having a terrific prep. She's typically struggled to win at this track but her last run here was very good when 2nd to Ameristralia, and she's carried that form into this prep which makes me think it's not so much the track but her form that was the reason she's struggled here. The other one I want to be on is VALROUZ at huge odds who looks to get a pretty soft lead, and if the rail is hot then she's well over the odds at $34 coming off a win at Pakenham. She has a good record at the track and distance. Vital Importance the one I'm wary of in a race of little confidence.
Tip: Grey Street / Valrouz EW
Race 3
Looks a race with a fairly good tempo here. Pretty keen on a couple. Going to take on MISS VISTA here due to the wide gate and the expected tempo. Pretty keen to back EL SICARIO who box seated last start and bolted in. He should be able to do that again from the inside barrier here and pounce on them late. The value in the race is CORE BEACH who has won his past four starts, which included a 3.25L win at this track and distance last prep. He resumed with an easy win at Mount Gambier and comes into this second up. He will lead from the inside gate and with the 3kg claim he is weighted to win. The only negative is the pressure he will be put under. $8.50 is a good price though. ABILITY is one to keep safe first up as a gelding. He will relish the tempo.
Tip: El Sicario / Core Beach EW
Race 4
THE PASSAGE has been well backed here after a luckless last start. He bolted in at Warrnambool two starts ago and ran teh fastest last 200m last start after being checked at the 400m. He should get a good run from barrier 4 here and Dean Yendall is a positive booking. Having said that, I prefer a couple others at longer odds here. VIENNA MISS turned her form around completely last start when beating a very good one in Petition. Drops in grade here, weighted well after the claim and draws well. $7 is appealing. The other I like is ATLANTIC EXPRESS who is ready to peak now. He's only won once during first three runs back from a spell (total of 10 starts), but he showed last start that he's ready to win with a good 3rd placing at Flemington. The blinkers go on for the first time here and he'll be charging home from the back. $8 for him.
Tip: Vienna Miss / Atlantic Express EW (Best Value)
Race 5
COLDSTONE is ready to win at his third run back but he draws sticky in barrier 10. NEW GRADUATE also draws sticky in barrier 9 but I think she's well suited here. The drop back from 1800m to 1600m is a big positive in my opinion, and her win two starts ago over this distance was dominant. Needs a good ride but she will roll forward from barrier 9 and be hard to beat. Happy with the $5 on offer.
Tip: New Graduate
Race 6
Pretty keen on HAVE ANOTHER GLASS here who was luckless behind Exocet in Listed company last start, and ran 2nd to Amelie's Star in group 2 company two starts ago. The drop back from 2000m to 1500m isn't ideal but she looks classy enough to overcome that with the good draw. FOUR SISTERS steps up in grade after a good win last start, she will be charging home, while TYPHOON JOLIE ran 2L 4th to Fuhryk last start which is good form for this grade.
Tip: Have Another Glass
Race 7
CAMDUS looks ready to win today after two solid runs back from a spell. He's never placed second up but he's undefeated from two starts when third up. His run last start was a good lead in to this race, beaten only 1.7L and doing his best work late. Draws perfectly here in barrier 4 so he may not have to get too far back, and his record at the distance is good. CHASE THE HORIZON was superb last start with 60kg, mowing down the leaders after giving them a big headstart at the top of the straight. he will have to do the same here from the wide barrier and on this track it will be hard to win doing that. CHAMOIS ROAD will be right on speed and give a good sight.
Tip: Camdus (Best Bet)
Race 8
Looks another good race for the Weir stable with GALLIC CHIEFTAIN who is ready to win third up from a spell. last prep he took two runs to hit his straps before stepping up to 2000m and winning dominantly. I think that could be the case again here. He was a bit flat last start but up in distance to 2040m here and third up should see him be pretty hard to beat. TICK TICK BLOOM is another Weir runner that can go close if she bounces back from her last start disappointment. OVERBERG gets the blinkers on first time here and can win.
Tip: Gallic Chieftain
Race 9
KATSURO has been luckless in recent starts but has run in strong races. Two starts ago finished 3rd behind Wise Hero, and last start was hampered in the straight before running home well to finish 4th, beaten 1.15L behind RUN GYPSY RUN. That horse is also a great chance here. She was first up on that occasion and comes into this second up. Draws a touch awkward in barrier 8 but she'll go forward and with the claim she carries juts 52.5kg. Hard to beat again. best value could be HIGHLAND BEAT who was luckless last start behind Run Gypsy Run. KEN'S DREAM is the best horse in the race and can win if he gets a good ride.
Tip: Katsuro / Run Gypsy Run EW
Take note: Any of the tips in this article are simply the author’s opinion, so bet at your own risk and always gamble responsibly. Also be sure to check out the Before You Bet Twitter Page for all our thoughts in the lead up to bets! Happy punting!
