McEwen Stakes 2020 racing tips, best bets & form guide
Moonee Valley hosts two Group 2 races on Saturday, with the 1000m Mitty’s McEwan Stakes set to jump at 3:30pm AEST. Hanseatic tops the market ahead of Brooklyn Hustle, while Witherspoon, Bella Vella, Rulership, Ashlor and Despatch will set the speed in what should be a seriously fast race.
Saturday racing tips for 2020 McEwen Stakes
Bella Vella @ $5 Sportsbet
We are with Sangster Stakes winner Bella Vella from the Will Clarken yard in Adelaide. She is a seriously quick mare and is drawn well in barrier eight to come across and settle just on the leader’s back. She won the 55 Second Challenge at this track in the summer, running a brisk 54.84s. She was then too fast in both the Furphy Stakes and Sangster Stakes in South Australia. Jamie Kah has a great affiliation with the mare and will give her every possible chance as they look towards the Moir Stakes and Manikato Stakes.
Brooklyn Hustle @ $4 Sportsbet
Brooklyn Hustle is another Moonee Valley specialist, with her two career wins coming at this track and distance. Drawn in barrier two, she’ll get back under Dwayne Dunn and use the fast tempo to finish off like she always does. She tends to run fifth when she doesn’t win, which is what happened in the Blue Diamond Stakes and Coolmore Stud Stakes – both at Group 1 level. She has only placed the once when second up, which is a slight query, but her dominant win first up – since franked by Propelle – suggests she is back in top form. The flashy chestnut mare cannot be ruled out and is a serious player, especially if she can get the splits at the right time.
Bella Vella @ $34 Sportsbet
Dan McCarthy’s Ashlor has fitness and a great track record (12:4-2-1) on his side. He doesn’t go in the wet, so he will love the conditions on Saturday given he is a 10-time winner on good going. He was a winner at this course three starts back when beating Morrissy, who has since run well in Benchmark 94 grade behind I Am Superman. He gave a great sight in the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes on an unsuitable heavy track behind Jungle Edge and the in-form Viridine, so that form should tie in well for this assignment. He is drawn well in barrier four for Dan Stackhouse, who will push for the box seat and could be within striking distance on the turn to add value to the exotics.