Moonee Valley preview & top racing tips | Saturday, August 26
| What | Moonee Valley Races |
| Where | Moonee Valley Racing Club – 2 Feehan Ave, Moonee Ponds VIC 3039 |
| When | Saturday, August 26, 2023 |
| First Race | 12:35pm AEST |
As the Melbourne Spring Carnival inches closer, feature racing heads to Moonee Valley racecourse on Saturday afternoon with 10 races carded. The Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) is the feature event, with a few of these sprinters looking to get a head start on some rivals this spring. The track has come up a Soft 5, but with clear skies forecast, we should be running on a Good 4 come Saturday. The rail comes out 4m the entire circuit, with racing getting underway at 12:35pm AEST.
Carlyon Stakes Top Tip: Sweet Ride
Sweet Ride showed all of his class over the 1000m scamper at this track on August 12, and in a field that is no harder, we’re happy to stick with him. He does go up 3kg in the Carlyon Stakes, but from barrier three, he draws to gain every advantage in running under Michael Dee. He has won both of his starts over 1000m, and with a win and a narrow second to his name already at The Valley, all signs point to a forward performance. With a strong finishing burst, Sweet Ride should prove too slick once again.
Carlyon Stakes
Race 8 – 
#1 Sweet Ride (3)
4yo Horse | T: Annabel Neasham | J: Michael Dee (58.5kg)
Best Bet at Moonee Valley: Hennessy Lad
Hennessy Lad was only nabbed late by Brayden Star at Flemington on August 5, with the early work he was forced to do proving detrimental to what he produced inside the final 100m. He was forced to work three wide for the first half of the race before settling outside lead. There should be no such issue on Saturday, having drawn barrier three under Luke Nolen. We anticipate he will settle outside lead once again, and with a similar effort to what he showed at Flemington in BM84 grade, Hennessy Lad should account for this BM78 field.
Best Bet
Race 4 – 
#7 Hennessy Lad (3)
4yo Gelding | T: Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman | J: Luke Nolen (59kg)
Next Best at Moonee Valley: Interpretation
Interpretation caught the eye when resuming at the Moonee Valley 1600m, and the step up to 2040m looks ideal. The five-year-old gelding was having his first start since failing to finish in the 2022 Melbourne Cup and showed that he is in for a big spring once again. Despite drawing wide in barrier eight, Mark Zahra will look to hold a spot in the first four upon settling. With just 57kg on his back and the potential to be a genuine Group 1 stayer, we expect Interpretation to be winning on Saturday.
Next Best
Race 7 – 
#3 Interpretation (8)
5yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | J: Mark Zahra (57kg)
Best Value at Moonee Valley: Hell Queen
The Ben Brisbourne-trained Hell Queen simply does not know how to run a poor race. Having placed in Group 3 and Listed company as a two-year-old, the now three-year-old filly looks to have plenty of upside. She draws out wide in barrier 13 for this first-up assignment, but with the want to roll forward, we’re confident Ethan Brown can find cover. With a cosy run in transit and a sharp turn of foot, the $19 on offer with online bookmakers is too hard to ignore.
Best Value
Race 6 – 
#4 Hell Queen (13)
3yo Filly | T: Ben Brisbourne | J: Ethan Brown (56kg)
Saturday quaddie tips for Moonee Valley
Moonee Valley quadrella selections
Saturday, August 26, 2023
- 3-6
- 1-4-7-8
- 1-6-7-11
- 3-4-5-11-13
Investment: $160 for 100%