Moonee Valley free tips, form and odds, Saturday January 21
MOONEE Valley is one of the best theatres for horse racing in Australia and punters get a quality nine-race card to bet on this Saturday.
One of the better races of the day kicks off the card at 1pm with the William Hill R78. A small field of eight runners line up, but there’s some nice up-and-coming types involved which should prove to be a good form guide for future racing.
The Schweppes Indian Tonic is also another feature race where Crystal Dreamer will be vying for four consecutive wins this campaign.
Race 1 – William Hill R78 (1200m)
Strictly Legit was an effortless winner on debut by 3.75 lengths before running on well for third last start. The Hayes/Dabernig-trained gelding is bred for speed and Mark Zahra takes over the riding from Callan Murray. That’s a big addition and it should be given every chance from a good barrier. $4.60 on offer.
Malaise is a last start winner for John O’Shea which has faced some stiff competition. The John O’Shea-trained colt finished third behind Mediterranean on debut at Canterbury before beating a handy field at Warwick Farm. Both starts came on a heavy track and this should suit nicely.
Invincible Al was finished off well last start and Moonee Valley should suit. The Patrick Payne-trained gelding will appreciate the extra distance here and punters are confident at $4.20.
Race 1 tip: Malaise to win ($4.50) at Bet365.com
Race 2 – Schweppes Lemonade Handicap (1600m)
Zasorceress finished off well for fourth last start and its form prior was noteworthy. The Darren Weir-trained mare ran in the Queensland Oaks its start prior, but its third in the Adrian Knox was a good form guide for this. Respect over this distance at $6.50.
La Speciale is a two-time winner which produced a solid finish last time out. The Hayes/Dabernig-trained mare will appreciate running at this distance and the inside draw is ideal. Expect it to take a more forward position and bookmakers are confident at $2.70.
My Obsession goes best on this track with four starts for one win and two placings. The Weir-trained mare doesn’t have a great record at this distance, but it wasn’t far away last start and it could feature in the placings at odds of $8.50.
Race 2 tip: Zasorceress to win ($6.50) at CrownBet.com.au
Race 3 – Metcash R78 Handicap (2040m)
Wheal Leisure was finishing off in a good form race last start and it has been respected in the market. The Archie Alexander-trained filly ran fifth at odds of $51, but it will run much shorter here. The three-year-old is currently a $3.50 chance with bookmakers, so consider.
Matamanoa is coming off a lower graded win, but it has form against the tougher opposition. The Patrick Payne-trained gelding finished fourth at Bendigo two starts back and the $7 represents it can run at its best in this.
Atlantic Express scored a solid 1.25-length win last start at Sandown and there is some smart form around it this campaign. It finished sixth behind Snitzson, fifth behind Widgee Turf and sixth behind Plein Ciel two starts back. Consider here at each way odds.
Race 3 tip: Wheal Leisure to win ($3.50) at WilliamHill.com.au
Race 4 – Ranvet Vobis Gold Star (1500m)
Hard Call is a confidence type horse which is coming off a win at Caulfield. The John Salantri-trained gelding scored easily by 2.5 lengths which is a good sign moving forward and despite drifting in the market from $3.80 to $4.40, it looks a strong winning chance.
Burning Front has been the best-backed runner of the day. The Weir-trained gelding opened at $2.50 and has been smashed into $1.75 following its last start win at Caulfield. It has won twice at Moonee Valley which helps and this distance looks ideal. It looks like a good multi-bet inclusion.
Refulgent has the ability to win in this grade and it’s coming off a win. The Weir-trained horse narrowly won last time out and it has good form on this track. It can handle most tracks and it’s a chance at $6.50 in the betting.
Race 4 tip: Burning Front to win ($1.75) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 5 – Schweppervescence R84 Handicap (1600m)
Forget King’s Command went around last start at Caulfield as it never saw daylight. The Corstens-trained gelding won its only start on this track when winning in November and it only needs some early luck from the tricky barrier. $4.80 on offer from bookmakers.
Domino Vitale was an outstanding winner at Flemington last start and it could go on with it now. The Colin Little-trained mare won by 3.25 lengths over a moderate field and this is tougher here, but it has won four times at this distance and the $2.75 suggests it should go well again.
See What I Bring battled well for third last start and it has yet to miss a placing in five starts at the mile. The six-year-old hasn’t found its winning touch in awhile now, but it drops to a nice weight which should bring it into contention.
Race 5 tip: Domino Vitale to win ($2.75) at Palmerbet.com.au
Race 6 – Schweppes Sparkling Handicap (2040m)
Big Duke is an imported runner for Darren Weir which was a stylish 4.5-length winner last start. The five-year-old destroyed its opposition at Caulfield and more wins look in store on Australian soil. It opened at $2.05 and it has since dropped into $2.
Cool Chap hasn’t been able to win in recent times, but it pushed a good horse close last start. The Freedman-trained gelding ran within a length of Plein Ciel at Caulfield and that form looks a good form guide for this. It has potential and could win at $4.80.
Shikarpour is a consistent runner which has won or placed in its last five starts. The Weir-trained gelding prefers a good racing surface which should suit and it drops in grade here after running second last start. Nice each way chance at $7.
Race 6 tip: Big Duke to win ($2) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 7 – Schweppes Indian Tonic Handicap (1000m)
Lady Esprit is a last start winner which scored a one-length win on this track. The Ciaron Maher-trained mare has won four times at this distance and it has run well at Moonee Valley in all three starts. It has drawn the inside which is ideal and the $5 price is good value.
Crystal Dreamer has rattled off three consecutive wins and it should be able to handle running at Moonee Valley. The four-year-old has won six of its 12 career starts which signals its class and two wins have come at this distance. $4.60 available with bookmakers and that price looks very generous.
Angry Gee is holding its form well and it was flashing home when second at Moonee Valley last start. The five-year-old has yet to win here, but it has been close and having Craig Williams in the saddle is ideal. It’s currently at each way odds and it has a chance.
Race 7 tip: Lady Esprit to win ($5) at CrownBet.com.au
Race 8 – Sandwich Chefs R90 Handicap (1200m)
Smart Dart is an eight-time winner which is having its first start on this track. The Cindy Alderson-trained gelding is a seven-time winner at this distance and it wasn’t far behind a nice sort last time out. Chance here with the 2kg claimer riding.
Devils Pinch is a talented runner which wound up late last start. The Colin Little-trained gelding rises in grade for this which isn’t ideal, but the drop in weight helps and it has more upside than most in this field. $4.50 on offer.
It Is Written is a last start winner which gets the inside draw and the 3kg claimer in the saddle. The 11-time winner has plenty of class and we’re expecting another good effort.
Race 8 tip: Devils Pinch to win ($4.50) at Palmerbet.com.au
Race 9 – Jacob Schweppe Handicap (1200m)
Cheeky Babe is a four-time winner which was finishing off well last start. The Weir-trained mare defeated Devils Pinch at Mornington two starts back, which could be a good form guide for this, and its form prior included a win and two placings. Tricky draw so expect it to drop back and work home well.
Ameristralia carried plenty of support in defeat last start, but its run for third had some merit. The Hawkes-trained mare has plenty of ability as it showed last campaign when winning three straight and this looks within its reach. It opened at $2.60 and has since firmed into $2.20.
Prussian Vixen is a last start winner which has been specked in the market. It opened at $15 and has subsequently dropped into $11 after winning at Caulfield last start. No reason why it can’t win again.
Race 9 tip: Ameristralia to win ($2.20) at Bet365.com