Moonee Valley night racing form and free tips, Friday December 16
SUMMER racing means plenty of night racing cards and Moonee Valley is back with another Friday night edition.
There are eight races to bet on this Friday night, which starts with the William Hill Plate, and we have form and free tips for every race.
The Inglis 55 Second Challenge is always a popular betting affair and this week seven slick sprinters try to post the quickest time of the summer.
The unbeaten Mr Dashing is a well-named gelding which has won its first two starts with ease and the betting public will be looking forward to watching it run at 8pm.
Race 1 – William Hill Maiden Plate (1200m)
Alvilda was working home well last time out on this track and it only needs to cope with the wide draw to feature. The four-year-old mare has placed in both starts at this distance and it has the ability to settle back in the field before stretching out late. Win hope at each way odds.
Aghna has struggled in three runs since placing in the Magic Millions Classic on debut behind Capitalist, but it has since changed to the Hayes/Dabernig stables and the signs are encouraging. It will be racing left handed for the first time on race day, but senior jockey Mark Zahra takes the ride and it will pay to follow any betting support.
Robbie Griffiths lines up Swiss Ace which has finished second in both career starts. The three-year-old filly is bred to be good as a youngster and it hasn’t been too far away behind the winners so far. Nathan Rose continues his association in the saddle so respect here.
Race 1 tip: Aghna to place at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 2 – Art Series Hotel Group Handicap (3000m)
Bullish Stock justified its short odds last start by winning with ease at Moonee Valley. The Hayes/Dabernig-trained gelding ran as the odds-on favourite and destroyed the field by 2.25 lengths. It rises up in weight for this, but the 1.5kg claim from Dylan Dunn brings it right back down. Looks tough to beat again.
Shez Ektraordinary has placed at its last two starts and it showed encouraging signs at Mornington last time out. The Richard Laming-trained mare coped well with the 2460m and it suggested the extra distance here would be ideal. It won well four back by 4.25 lengths and it should threaten with Craig Newitt in the saddle.
Rock Away has only moderate form, but the rise in distance should suit and it gets in with a light weight. The daughter of Elvstroem would prefer some moisture in the surface, but include for place options.
Race 2 tip: Bullish Stock to win at CrownBet.com.au
Race 3 – Adapt Australia R70 Handicap (1000m)
Ponte Roma is a capable filly for Robert Smerdon which won on this track last start. The daughter of Pins won narrowly with Craig Williams in the saddle and his replacement this time around is Dwayne Dunn. It drops in weight which is ideal and it just needs some luck from barrier nine.
Mick Price lines up Anatola which showed great potential as a juvenile. The four-year-old by More Than Ready is fresh up here where it has placed from its only start on this track and with Damien Oliver in the saddle, it should be able to find its best form. It drops in grade after contesting handicaps last season so expect a tidy effort.
Pantheress had to cope with a wide draw when finishing third last start and it has been dealt another poor barrier. The Corstens-trained mare will jump from barrier 11 here which won’t make it easy, but it was able to find a good position last start and work home well. Chance if it gets a similar run.
Race 3 tip: Anatola to win at Bet365.com
Race 4 – Inglis 55 Second Challenge 3YO (955m)
Rylea Lass didn’t quite finish it off last start after leading at Sandown, but its form prior included a quality win at Moonee Valley. The three-year-old defeated the likes of Run Gypsy Run which is good form for this time of the year. Expect similar tactics here.
Mr Dashing has won both career starts at Geelong by a combined margin of eight lengths. The aptly-named gelding by Moshe started as a $21 chance on debut when winning by six lengths and it was much shorter at $1.80 second up when beating subsequent winner Mr Sneaky by two lengths. That’s stellar form for this.
Canny Rocket was a stylish winner at Swan Hill last start after switching to the Darren Weir stables. The Smart Missile colt had been racing against some slick opposition in Sydney which included My Country, Tessera and In The Vanguard. It could be the testing material in this and it will give Mr Dashing a run for its money.
Race 4 tip: My Dashing/Canny Rocket quinella at WilliamHill.com.au
Race 5 – Nelson Alexander R70 Handicap (1000m)
Core Breach stays in this grade after winning last start in Adelaide. The four-year-old made it consecutive wins and despite rising in grade, it could go well again. It has enough speed to feature from barrier three so watch the market for any moves.
Manihi Mischief gets Damien Oliver in the saddle for its fresh up outing. The four-year-old has won twice fresh up which reads well and it has won three times at this distance. Its best run in defeat was a fourth behind Hellbent at Sandown and it battled on well in one run since. Looks a chance at this level.
Ready Sunshine is a six-time winner which has had 21 starts at this distance for five wins and eight placings. The experienced six-year-old was a winner in Adelaide last start when running a good time and although this is harder, it could be a place chance at big odds again.
Race 5 tip: Manihi Mischief to win at CrownBet.com.au
Race 6 – Shop For Shops R64 Handicap (2040m)
Defence Witness finished second behind a nice midweek type in Erector last start and that form should hold up well. The four-year-old is looking to cap off consistent form which includes three straight placings and this isn’t the strongest field.
Poppiholla is a last start winner at Werribee and it gets another run in this grade. It gets a 2kg claim which brings it back down in weight to 56.5kg and it won’t have to improve much to figure in the finish. Inside draw adds to its chances.
Baubo has a poor form line, but the Chris Waller-trained mare is expected to perform this time in. The Rip Van Winkle mare was battling on late behind Sweet Melody at Sandown and it should find this race a touch easier. Oliver rides which instills some confidence.
Race 6 tip: Defence Witness to win at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 7 – LF Sign Group R70 Handicap (1600m)
Relentless is having its 51st start, but it’s in form with a win two back and a recent placing. The Daniel Bowman-trained gelding has won at Moonee Valley and it has won four times at this distance. The odds will likely be at double figures and it could add some value.
Dane Thunder was an easy last start winner at Geelong where it won by 2.25 lengths. The four-year-old has twice placed at Moonee Valley and its fifth in the PSLA Cup at Mornington behind Master Reset is a good form guide. We wouldn’t be leaving it out here.
Lunar Spin is from the John O’Shea stables and it won impressively last start. The four-year-old scored by 1.25 lengths in rating 64 grade and it looked the type which could kick on with it. Dwayne Dunn takes over from Craig Williams in the saddle and it looks a top chance.
Race 7 tip: Dane Thunder to win at Bet365.com
Race 8 – Simpson Construction R70 Handicap (1600m)
Prepee didn’t fire fresh up at Sandown, but it’s a distance winner and this will suit nicely. The five-year-old was a winner at Cranbourne last campaign and now that it’s working up to the mile, it looks a much better winning chance. The inside draw is ideal.
More Spark has won only one race from 14 starts, but is goes best at this distance and it was finishing off well last start. That came at Bendigo behind Dubai King and it gets in here with a light weight of 55kg. Not the worst in an even field.
Hot Ruby finished off well last time out and it could add some value to multiples. The Luke Oliver-trained mare has placed at Moonee Valley and its best efforts come on dry tracks. Look for a market push, but include for place options.
Race 8 tip: Prepee to place at WilliamHill.com.au