Moonee Valley night racing form, odds and tips, Friday December 9
MOONEE VALLEY continues to succeed as Australia’s premier night racing circuit and its back with another fantastic card this Friday night.
The eight-race card is a stellar entree into weekend racing and the Inglis 55 Second Challenge is one of the most exciting series races in the country.
This week sees eight runners try to beat the clock and punters are having a tough time splitting two well-backed speedsters.
The racing kicks off with the William Hill Plate at 6.30pm and if your horse finishes second in any race, CrownBet will give up to $25 in rewards points.
Race 1 – William Hill 2YO Plate (1000m)
Garrard is on debut for the Busuttin/Young stables and it has been well-backed. The Sepoy filly gets the inside draw which is ideal and the current odds of $3.50 suggests it has a winning chance. Look for any late market movement.
Catchy could prove tough to catch for the Hayes/Dabernig team. The well-bred filly by Fastnet Rock has been solidly-supported in the betting at $2.70 and that’s usually a good sign from this stable. Having Craig Williams in the saddle is a big positive at the moment.
Star Search is from the powerful Hawkes stables and it’s currently the equal second favourite at $3.50. The Star Witness colt has stayed steady in the market and it will likely settle on the pace from barrier five. Could be tough to roll.
Race 1 tip: Catchy to win ($2.70) at CrownBet.com.au
Race 2 – CRT Whites Rural 3YO (1200m)
Cambridge Lady was a stylish winner on debut at Cranbourne, but it failed to back that up at Sandown. The Mick Price-trained filly only battled on the heavy track, but it should improve on the better track conditions. Michael Dee rides with a 1.5kg claim which brings it into contention.
Emphatically won with ease two back at Swan Hill with Linda Meech in the saddle and it was only 1.5 lengths behind the winner last start at Sandown. The Ciaron Maher-trained filly was good enough to finish fourth in the Hampden Stakes behind Archives and it should be considered at $3.40.
John O’Shea lines up last start winner Witches. The Lonhro filly won by a half-length over subsequent winner Epitomise and that form should hold up nicely for this. It would prefer stepping up in distance, but it has been respected in the market at $3.50 so consider for the win.
Race 2 tip: Cambridge Lady to place ($2.80) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 3 – CRT Crop Care Pontiac Maiden (1600m)
Talk Of California has placed seven times from 15 starts and it was only narrowly run down last start on this track. The Darren Weir-trained mare finished a nose behind Snuffs The Battle as a $4 chance and punters are currently getting $2.90 for this. Looks ready to score the elusive win.
Rockmeartie has been around the mark of late with three placings from its last four starts. The three-year-old has had only five starts, but it looks set to breakthrough soon and it has been well-respected at $4.20 in the betting. Win chance.
Heather Honey finished third at Moonee Valley last start after getting no peace up front. The Congrats mare had to work hard for the lead and after kicking hard around the home turn, it wilted over the final 100 metres. Dwayne Dunn rides at a nice weight.
Race 3 tip: Talk Of California to win ($2.90) at Bet365.com
Race 4 – Inglis 55 Second Challenge (955m)
Another Diamond burst onto the scene with back-to-back wins to kick off this preparation, but it has been expensive its last two. The Bill Cerchi-trained mare didn’t have the best of luck last start when it was held up as the $2.30 favourite, but expect another tidy effort at odds of $2.80 for this.
Very Choosy fought hard behind Lyuba last start and that form looks strong. The Robert Smerdon-trained mare is a three-time winner from six starts and it has had two starts at Moonee Valley. The inside draw is vital over this distance and it will be able to dictate the pace. Tough to beat at $2.70 and we expect that price to firm.
Pink Perfection runs well fresh up with seven starts for one win and five placings. The Nikki Burke-trained mare is yet to win or place in three starts on this track, but it has enough speed to keep up with the two favourites. Each way chance at $7.
Race 4 tip: Very Choosy to win ($2.70) at CrownBet.com.au
Race 5 – Vicwide Towing Maiden (1200m)
Alvilda rarely runs a bad race having had nine starts for six placings. The George Osborne-trained mare placed at its only start at this distance and it shouldn’t have to improve much to feature in the placings. Has been specked at $5.50.
The current favourite at $2.60 is Blue Money which pushed a quality horse close last start. The Hawkes-trained mare finished under a half-length behind Tales of War at Moonee Valley and a repeat effort would take it close again. It has missed the money in only one of eight starts so expect another top run.
Fox Tales has been dealt a big blow when drawing barrier 16, so luck will have to play a major part in this. The Richard Laming-trained gelding finished third on debut at Cranbourne and that form looks solid. It will likely settle back and hope for a drag into the race. $5.50 on offer.
Race 5 tip: Blue Money to win ($2.60) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 6 – Sweeney Estate Agents R64 Handicap (1200m)
Shemai is a winner of two from 10 starts and it chased well at this track last start. The Henry Dwyer-trained mare won a quality winner at Sandown earlier this year and although it hasn’t won since, it has been taking on tougher opposition. Looks a chance in this at $5.
Weather The Storm won fresh up this campaign at Mornington behind running into Silent Sedition in the Summoned Stakes at Sandown. The Robert Kingston-trained mare has a great record at this distance and although it has drawn awkwardly in barrier 13, it looks a chance at $4.40 in the betting.
Broadway And First won well at Bendigo last start which kicked off its campaign. The Weir-trained horse had only been battling last season, but this isn’t the strongest rating 64 field ever assembled and it jumps from a good draw. The bookmakers pick at $3.50.
Race 6 tip: Shemai to win ($5) at CrownBet.com.au
Race 7 – Hume Collision Centre R70 (2040m)
Andrew Payne lines up Thunder Connection which has won three of its five starts. The son of Pins defeated the capable Tintaglia last start at Cranbourne and it placed on this track three starts back behind Knight Star. It has solid form and it only needs to cope with the wide draw to contend at odds of $5.50.
Honey Cara is a three-time winner which scored a classy win at Sandown last start. The Weir-trained runner defeated Sweet Melody by 1.25 lengths and it has subsequently won well at Sandown on Wednesday. The Mossman mare finished fourth at Flemington behind Tavi Bay and the weight of 56.5kg will help. Current favourite at $2.70.
I’ll Fly Away won narrowly at Moonee Valley last start over the talented Mount Omei. The Weir-trained mare has won three from five and its only defeat in its last four starts was a handy third at Geelong. Ben Allen rides and the $4 available is a good price.
Race 7 tip: Honey Cara to win ($2.70) at WilliamHill.com.au
Race 8 – Essendon Nissan R64 Handicap (1523m)
Movie has to carry a big weight, but it has a fair amount of class and it drops in grade for this after contesting rating 70 grade last start. The Hayes/Dabernig-trained mare is rarely far away from the money and it has been well-supported at $3.40.
Littlesnitz won nicely enough last start to be considered in this. The Maher-trained filly has won two from six starts and the daughter of Snitzel should enjoy its first start at Moonee Valley. Tricky draw, but the $7.50 could be worth the risk.
Slam Bam comes into this having won well at Kilmore last start and it has the breeding to suggest it can continue its winning ways. The daughter of O’Reilly is improving so consider at an each way price of $6.
Race 8 tip: Movie to win ($3.40) at Bet365.com