Form, bookie specials & tips for Saturday Moonee Valley races
PUNTERS looking to get their racing fix prior to ringing in the New Year have the opportunity to invest on an exciting eight-race card at Moonee Valley on Saturday evening.
There are seven races at a benchmark 70 level or higher, the calibre of horses taking to the turf is as good as you will ever see at this time of the year.
The 1Print Plate is the first race at the Valley and kicks off at 4:40 pm.
We took a look at the entire card, identified several of the key players and gave our standout selection for each race.
Race 1 – 1Print Plate (1000m)
A field of 13 kicks off the card at the Valley in what looms as the hardest race on the card to pick given there is not a lot of exposed form around the runners.
Kid Flash ($6.50 at Crownbet.com.au) is one of the few horses that has had a professional race, claiming a win first up in Geelong in stylish fashion. Carries top weight in this race but considering it won with an additional 1kg last time out.
Hayes and Dabernig runner Tulip is debuting but its recent trail suggests the Pierro filly can win on Saturday. The two-year-old is the current favourite at $3.40 Crownbet.com.au, but without any racing form to go on we are wary of taking on the youngster.
Racing experience is pivotal so and while Tulip’s trial was impressive we are backing Kid Flash to maintain the unbeaten run.
Race 1 tip: Kid Flash to win ($6.50 at Crownbet.com.au)
Race 2 – Gets Wines Direct BM70 (1200m)
A huge field of 17 runners confronts punters in the second race of the day at Moonee Valley.
Siren’s Reward is taking to the track for the third time this preparation after an encouraging second-up performance. The Weir runner has a ton of ability and could be in the frame at odds of $7.50 via WilliamHill.com.au.
Crystal Fountain ($8 at WilliamHill.com.au) is undefeated across its two race starts and was tough in holding out Essence Of Terror two weeks ago at Geelong. Carries top weight here but we must respect the form.
Emphatically races after a decent three-race campaign that saw the three-year-old win, place and come fourth. Races on Saturday after a month-long spell and has the talent to salute at $12 odds at Crownbet.com.au.
We have identified three very capable runners but we like the look of Crystal Fountain. Has shown ability to win from the front and to nose out a rival under duress. Bodes well for a fruitful career.
Race 2 tip: Crystal Fountain to win ($8 at WilliamHill.com.au)
Race 3 – Essendon Nissan BM70 (1000m)
Angry Gee has been in fine form since returning in early December and looks to be hitting its peak. The $4.80 chance at WilliamHill.com.au is third up on Saturday and seems well placed to win at the Valley.
Damian Oliver takes the ride on Manihi Mischief which is second up today. The four-year-old gelding has previously won second up before and is one of the main fancies in the market at the $6.50 quote via Sportsbet.com.au.
One horse that can win at odds is Punt Club ($19 at Sportsbet.com.au). The market has completely dismissed the four-year-old but it has had excuses since resuming late in November.
The classy runner has previously won over the same class and distance in the past so we are taking the leap of faith with Punt Club.
Race 3 tip: Punt Club to win ($19 at Sportsbet.com.au)
Race 4 – Simpson Construction BM78 (2040m)
Fourth race on the card is over the 2040m distance and there is two clear standouts to our eye.
The race looks to be Galaxy Raider’s for the taking. The $2.60 favourite at Crownbet.com.au has finished inside the quinella positions four times since returning in last October. Last time out the four-year-old was badly held up but still managed to finish second at Flemington.
Honey Cara is aiming for three in a row after an incredibly impressive performance last time out at Moonee Valley. The $3.30 shot at Sportsbet.com.au torched the field by six lengths and will relish taking to the same track again on Saturday.
Both horses are more than capable of winning this one but we are taking Honey Cara. The last win was eye-catching and it would be foolish of us to back against it.
Race 4 tip: Honey Cara to win ($3.30 at Crownbet.com.au)
Race 5 – Melb Signage Vobis Gold Carat (1200m)
First leg of the New Year’s Eve quaddie sees three clear cut chances take the Valley turf.
Gratwick has finished in the placings across its last two outings when it had plenty of excuses to wilt. Last time out it was passed fit at the barrier and over raced badly in the middle stages but still managed to storm through the field to finish third. Gratwick looks poised to put in a great performance as the $3.90 favourite at Crownbet.com.au.
Our Luca only has one race under its belt but the debut could not be any more impressive. The three-year-old hammered the field by just under four lengths a week ago and should improve even further on the run. Our Luca looms as the value runner at $6 via Sportsbet.com.au.
Widgee Turf has great form leading into this one. Defeated Tiamo Grace – who subsequently went on to salute in a group 2 race – and won handsomely at Flemington last time out at double figure odds.
We like the look of all three runners but Widgee Turf looks well placed at $5.50 odds at Crownbet.com.au. The jump of 2kg is a slight concern but has won carrying the same weight in the past.
Race 5 tip: Widgee Turf to win ($5.50 at Crownbet.com.au)
Race 6 – Quest Moonee Valley BM78 (1200m)
Roman Fizz is a horse that has incredible fortitude. Last time out was held up badly but still came from the back of the field to finish fifth of nine runners. Prior to that had won four of its last five races, and the race it did not win it finished second. Looks well over the odds at $12 via WilliamHill.com.au.
Danuki ($8 at Sportsbet.com.au) had its three-race win streak snapped last week after drawing an outside gate and being kept wide for the duration of the race. Draws gate 13 on Saturday night, but the experience of that trip should prove beneficial.
Wolf Cry jumps as one of the main elects on Saturday in race 6. Was sent out as the favourite last time out at Flemington but lacked race fitness. The four-year-old will take a lot from that run and should be in the frame at $5 odds at Sportsbet.com.au.
We would not be surprised to see any of these three runners to get the nod here, but we are backing Roman Fizz to win at double figure odds.
Race 6 tip: Roman Fizz to win ($12 at Crownbet.com.au)
Race 7 – Snap Fitness Essendon BM70 (1200m)
Two main chances in the second last race on the card to our eye.
Anatola runs second up on Saturday after an encouraging resumption. Finished second despite being held up badly at the 200m mark. Has great second up form (one first and a second placing from two runs) and is the justified $3.40 favourite at Crownbet.com.au.
Jack Martin takes the ride on Go Down who is third up after a win and a sixth placed finish. Goes up 2kg from the last time out but gets out to a trip that suits on Saturday.
We are backing Go Down to trump its rivals in the seventh race on Saturday to give punters a great $5.50 return at Sportsbet.com.au.
Race 7 tip: Go Down to win ($5.50 at Sportsbet.com.au)
Race 8 – William Hill BM90 (1000m)
The highest graded race on the card rounds out New Year’s Eve racing at Moonee Valley.
Rock ‘n’ Gold’s fifth placed finish at the end of November belied just how good the horse was. The Six-year-old was badly held up but hit the line like a sledgehammer when it finally got out. Resumes on Saturday after a month-long break and looks well placed at $5.50 via Sportsbet.com.au.
Darren Weir runner Olivier is second up after a handy resumption at Morphettville two weeks ago in the same company. The horse has won twice from four starts second up and represents terrific value at $6.50 at Crownbet.com.au.
Dylan Dunn takes the ride on It Is Written, who was desperately unlucky not to win at the start of the month at Pakenham. Only went down by 1.1 lengths after piercing its way through the field and seems over the odds at the $13 quote at Sportsbet.com.au.
Three very handy runners in the last on the card but Rock ‘N’ Gold looks best suited here. Will relish the month break and should be too classy for the remainder of the field.
Race 8 tip: Rock ‘N’ Gold to win ($5.50 via Sportsbet.com.au)
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