Moonee Valley racing free tips, odds and form, Saturday June 17
RACING in Victoria returns to Moonee Valley where we have form, odds and free tips for every race this Saturday.
The Valley is one of most popular tracks for punters as the atmosphere is electric and the fields for this Saturday’s races have come up trumps.
The feature is the Silver Thomas Hanley Plate which features Extra Zero having its 101st race after winning last start, but there’s some other talented stayers in action which includes the New Zealand-trained Megablast.
It’s sure to be a blast for punters and Sportsbet.com.au is giving up to $50 in bonus bets if your runner finishes second or third in the first four races at Moonee Valley.
Race 1 – Friends Of Epworth Handicap (1200m)
Josephine Sea was well-backed to win at Sandown last start when running third and it clearly has talent. The Ellerton/Zahra-trained filly was a one length winner on debut at Sale and despite this being harder it should handle the grade well. It has been well-respected in the market and $5.50.
Behave is the current $3.80 favourite following its placing against a similar field last start. The Michael Kent-trained filly didn’t fire in the Chairman’s Stakes on debut, but it produced a much better effort in June and it’s drawn to get a good trip in transit from barrier three.
Race 1 tip: Josephine Sea to place ($2.15) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 2 – Bidfood Handicap (1000m)
If Not Now When is a two-win filly which has shown the ability to win high quality races. The Henry Dwyer-trained three-year-old finished second behind stablemate Snitty Kitty two back at Caulfield and that form line has since been franked. It should run well as the $3.40 favourite.
Airino has won twice at the short-course distance and it has the ability to run good times. The John Sadler-trained filly broke the one minute mark on a heavy track over this distance last start and that’s a solid effort. Craig Williams sticks with the filly and it will be in the mix at $5.50.
Race 2 tip: If Not Now When to win ($3.40) at Ladbrokes.com.au
Race 3 – Zouki Handicap (1000m)
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Miss Vista always captures the attention of punters and it didn’t have much luck at this track last start. The showy mare sat three wide throughout last start with an apprentice in the saddle, but with Craig Williams in the saddle, he should be able to get it clear in front and cross to the rail. Wide draws aren’t helping its cause, but the $3.90 is a tempting price.
There has been some good support for Zara Bay which is fresh up for Team Hawkes. The four-year-old hasn’t raced at The Valley before which is a concern, but it runs its best races when fresh and the betting support is usually a good indicator. Watch for any late moves.
Race 3 tip: Miss Vista to win ($3.90) at CrownBet.com.au
Race 4 – Kane Constructions Handicap (1600m)
Dulverton is only a three-win mare, but it put in the big bounds late at Sandown last start and it stands a chance in this. The Smerdon-trained four-year-old has a good record at Moonee Valley and punters know it will get back in the running and make ground late. Tricky field and it looks a chance at $5.50.
Have Another Glass has proved its worth in tough races by placing in the Queen Of The South Stakes and the Centaurea Stakes at Morphettville. The Sue Jaensch-trained mare has won six of its 12 starts and it didn’t get much luck on this track last start. It looks tough to beat.
Race 4 tip: Have Another Glass to win ($7) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 5 – GJK Facility Services Handicap (1200m)
Lord Da Vinci is a winner of nine races and the Tasmanian looks a top chance in this. The Scott Brunton-trained gelding has yet to miss a win or placing from six fresh up starts and despite not having success in its two starts on this track, it has strengthened up since then. This isn’t the strongest sprinting field and it could take advantage at $3.40.
Fast Cash is over the odds at $15 after flying home late at Caulfield last start. The Wendy Kelly-trained gelding is a multiple winner on this track and it gets into this with a good weight of only 51kg. It’s almost a weighting special for us and we’re expecting its odds to shorten.
Race 5 tip: Fast Cash to win ($15) at Ladbrokes.com.au
Race 6 – Epworth Medical Imaging Handicap (1200m)
Katsuro burst through to score last start at Moonee Valley and it will likely have to adopt similar tactics from the wide draw. The Mick Price-trained gelding has produced a good run in all six career starts and it has often relied on luck in the straight to show its best. If they go quick up front it should be storming home at odds of $4.80.
Highland Beat is the current $4.60 favourite, but drastic improvement is needed. The Lindsay Park-trained sprinter hasn’t had any luck this campaign, but good horses overcome that and this three-year-old seems to attract trouble. From barrier five it should settle closer to the pace and the experience of Craig Williams should kick in.
Race 6 tip: Katsuro to win ($4.80) at Bet365.com
Race 7 – Silver Thomas Hanley Plate (2040m)
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Megablast comes over from New Zealand with good form, but it will need a wet track to show its best. The Nigel Tiley-trained gelding has won all seven starts in the tough going and the Australian wet tracks don’t come close to New Zealand’s, so it will need to pour throughout the week. It won by nine lengths last start at Ellerslie and it adds some interest.
Hursley is a well-weighted chance at 54kg with Williams in the saddle. The Chris Waller-trained gelding has placed in both attempts on this track and it probably should have won last time out after being shut out at a vital stage. It looks the one to beat at $3.60.
Race 7 tip: Hursley to win ($3.60) at Ladbrokes.com.au
Race 8 – Travis Harrison Cup (1600m)
Rhythm To Spare is from the hot Michael Moroney stable and it looks a top chance after running third to Burning Front at Morphettville. The seven-year-old by Pins is a seven-time winner at this distance and it scored an impressive 3.25-length win at Caulfield in April over American import Fastnet Latina. That had class and it should be followed.
Data Point was finishing off nicely behind Cannyescent last start at Sandown and it is good enough to compete with this opposition. The Kent-trained gelding has form on rain-affected tracks, but also three placings on good tracks, so the conditions shouldn’t matter either way. It will get back in the run from the draw and run on late.
Race 8 tip: Rhythm To Spare to win ($5) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 9 – Embassy Print Solutions Handicap (1200m)
Fire Agate has won its last two at Cranbourne and it deserves its chance at this level. The Greg Eurell-trained gelding has won on a good track and also at this distance. Drawing barrier 15 isn’t going to help its chances, but it should go forward and be positive from the outset.
Leodoro is the $4.40 favourite after showing good consistency this preparation. It scored a good win four back and it has since placed in all three starts. It was unlucky not to win on this track last start and it just needs a touch of luck in the straight to win this.
Race 9 tip: Leodoro to win ($4.40) at Ladbrokes.com.au