William Hill Alister Clarke Stakes betting tips, Friday March 17
PUNTERS get the perfect entree to premier racing on Saturday with the Group 2 Alister Clarke Stakes at Moonee Valley this Friday night.
The $200,000 middle distance feature has attracted a quality field of three-year-olds which have the group one staying features this autumn in sight.
The Abell Stakes is also on the cards which features the likes of Fast ‘n’ Rocking and the highly-touted Bullrush from the Hawkes stables.
There’s plenty of action across the night at Moonee Valley and punters can get the best odds for the William Hill Alister Clarke Stakes with the races sponsor WilliamHill.com.au.
Race 1 – Johnnie Walker Plate (1000m)
Sam’s Image was a solid winner on debut before fighting well behind Ploverset in the Festival Stakes at Flemington. The Peter Morgan-trained gelding finished only a length behind the winner which set a good time and it only needs some luck from a wide barrier draw here.
Explosive Witness will likely be well-backed in the market. The Greg Eurell-trained gelding by Star Witness has attracted Craig Williams in the saddle which will please punters and it will get every chance on debut from the inside draw.
Can’t Remember tried hard behind Azazel on debut in the Inglis 2YO, but it hasn’t been close since. The John Moloney-trained two-year-old has a chance of redemption here and punters should get a good each way price. Jordon Childs takes weight off its back so consider.
Race 1 tip: Explosive Witness to win at CrownBet.com.au
Race 2 – WT Partnership Handicap (1600m)
Sniper has had two runs this campaign and it made good ground late last start. The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding has placed in its only start on this track and twice from three starts at this distance. This isn’t the easiest race in the world, but consider as a winning hope.
Fastnet Latina is a former American runner which has looked impressive in two starts in Australia. The son of Fastnet Rock scored a maiden win at Terang before producing a powerful finish to win at Sandown. It’s suited to the longer distances and it will get every chance from the inside draw if it gets clear running room.
Cosmic Song rises in grade here after finishing second last start. The Murray Johnson-trained gelding scored back-to-back wins at Swan Hill last campaign and it has already won again this time in. It coped with the rise in grade well last start and it could run into the money.
Race 2 tip: Fastnet Latina to win at Ladbrokes.com.au
Race 3 – Inglis 55 Second Challenge (955m)
Punt Club is a model of consistency and it should give another good sight in this. The Pat Cannon-trained gelding has yet to finish outside the top three at Moonee Valley and it has placed in seven from eight at this distance. It has drawn to figure in the finish.
Appalachian Annie is progressively improving this campaign and a win won’t be far away. The five-year-old loves running around The Valley having had 10 starts on this track for two wins and four placings. That track experience is a big bonus this Friday night and the 2kg claimer in the saddle could tip the scales in its favour.
Aunty Mo is another runner which likes racing on this track. The five-year-old has won here twice and four times at this distance. It didn’t have much peace in front last time out when finishing third, but conditions suit here and it shouldn’t be left out.
Race 3 tip: Punt Club to win at CrownBet.com.au
Race 4 – Foodworks R64 Handicap (2040m)
I Am Reuben has won twice this campaign and deserves its chance after winning easily last start. The Heath Connors-trained gelding scored a 1.75-length win at Terang and this isn’t the strongest field ever assembled. It handles all track conditions which is a bonus.
Wangaala didn’t finish too far behind the talented Oregon’s Day on debut and it has looked good since. The Danny O’Brien-trained filly scored an impressive 5.5-length win at Ballarat last start and we’re expecting it to be well-supported again here. Drawing barrier 12 isn’t ideal, but it shouldn’t matter too much over this distance.
Prescience scored an overdue win two starts back, but it didn’t back that up at Sandown. The Chris Waller-trained gelding travelled to Melbourne after winning at Newcastle, but didn’t handle the extra distance. It placed in its only start on this track which is a positive.
Race 4 tip: Wangaala to win at WilliamHill.com.au
Race 5 – 1Print Kerry Gillespie R70 (1000m)
Bella Vino is a three-time winner from the in-form Gary Portelli stable. The three-year-old went close behind Matty last start which is good form and it looked good prior when winning consecutive races at Kembla Grange. It will likely head forward and give a good kick.
Brightly Goes did well to run sixth on this track last start after being trapped wide. The Phil Sweeney-trained mare won both starts prior to that and it goes best at this distance. Apprentice jockey Brooke Sweeney takes 3kg off its back which brings it into contention.
Northkape mixes its form, but it can sprint well on its day. The Robbie Griffiths-trained mare has won all three starts at this distance and it’s another which gets a 3kg claimer in the saddle. Chance at each way odds.
Race 5 tip: Bella Vino to win at Bet365.com
Race 6 – Sweeney Estate Agents Abell Stakes (1200m)
Fast ‘n’ Rocking is the class runner of the field, but it will need to improve to take this out. The Lindsay Park-trained gelding has won almost $1.5 million so the class is there and it drops in grade after taking on the Group 1 Futurity Stakes. Regan Bayliss is a jockey in form and he could prove the factor to get this runner back into form.
Demonstrate didn’t produce anything last time out before being spelled, but its form prior to that should be respected. The John O’Shea-trained four-year-old has solid form fresh up and it’s yet to finish outside the top three in four starts at this track. Craig Williams is a good jockey to have in the saddle and the 54kg is a dangerous weight.
Punters shouldn’t overlook the chances of Bullrush despite its last two defeats. The Hawkes-trained gelding has finished seventh at its last two, but it won five of its first seven starts prior to that. It has yet to race at Moonee Valley, but getting the inside draw is ideal and the significant drop in weight is ideal.
Race 6 tip: Bullrush to win at Ladbrokes.com.au
Race 7 – William Hill Alister Clarke Stakes (2040m)
Farson is a top chance for the Waterhouse/Bott team having won the Autumn Classic at Caulfield. The three-year-old by Snitzel is a natural stayer and the rise up in distance after dominating over 1800m last start looks ideal. The team has a big opinion of Farson and it will get all favours from an inside barrier. This is a classy field, but nothing harder than what it has already faced.
Ruthven has loads of talent and it will be in fit order after two runs this campaign. The Maher-trained colt won its first two races before finishing a close second behind Morton’s Fork in the Sandown Guineas. It didn’t fire in the Autumn Stakes fresh up, but it needed the run and it should be well-liked in the betting.
Hardham is out of form, but it could return to its best here. The David Brideoake-trained colt has taken on some of Australia’s best in the C.S. Hayes and the Randwick Guineas, but it didn’t perform at its best. The stable is showing signs of confidence around Hardham and punters should take note of any betting moves.
Race 7 tip: Ruthven to win at WilliamHill.com.au
Race 8 – Spicer Thoroughbreds Handicap (1200m)
Zambezi Diamond finished well for second last time out at Ballarat and it has won twice on this track. The five-year-old is a four-time winner at this distance and it won’t find it easy from barrier 16, but it has talent and could feature.
El Rada is a consistent four-year-old which goes best at this distance. The Archie Alexander-trained mare was a good winner three starts back at Ballarat and it should be able to cope with the rise in class. It has drawn nicely and it should go close.
Tan Tat Beauty was a classy winner on debut over the talented Summer Wind and it has since taken on good fields. The Henry Dwyer-trained filly finished second behind Sweet Sherry at Moonee Valley before running disappointingly in the Atlantic Jewel Stakes on this track. It’s another good ride for Craig Williams so respect.
Race 8 tip: Tan Tat Beauty to win at Ladbrokes.com.au