Friday night racing is back at Moonee Valley this week and it’s sure to be a great card of racing as we prepare for another great weekend of racing.
Preview brought to you by Ladbrokes. Learn more about Ladbrokes HERE.
Race 1 – 6:15pm – Ladbroke It! Jericho Cup Qualifier, (3800m)
This is a tricky way to start the meeting and this isn’t a race that I want to get too heavily involved in.
Prince Alby doesn’t win out of turn, but he has been racing well in tougher races than this one.
He will settle in the second half of the field, but I don’t think that the extended staying trip will be an issue for him and he will be coming home strongly late.
Race 2 – 6:45pm – Support Local Support Moonee Ponds Handicap, (1600m)
This is a drop in class for for Burning Power and she is well-placed to score another race win.
She showed her quality with a four length win at Echuca a couple of starts ago and she wasn’t disgraced behind Espiona in the Desirable Stakes at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Barrier four suits and she should have every possible chance in the run.
Race 3 – 7:15pm – Shop Union Road Plate, (1200m)
Seacole showed plenty of ability as a two-year-old and she is well-placed to make a winning return to the races.
She wasn’t disgraced behind Arcaded on debut at Caulfield and she finished third behind subsequent Group 2 winner Lightsaber at Ladbrokes Park Sandown.
There are no horses with that sort of ability in this field and she is a filly that still has a stack of upside.
Race 4 – 7:45pm – Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge Heat 4, (955m)
Lady Solly has had success in the Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge in the past and this is a nice kick-off point for her this preparation.
On her best form she is the class sprinter in this field and all of her best form has come over these shortcourse sprints.
The O’Lonhro mare has won first-up in the past and is rarely far away over this track and distance.
Race 5 – 8:15pm – Ranvet Handicap, (2040m)
This is one of the most open races of the night and there are a host of winning chances.
Kwoi Hoi has mixed his form somewhat this campaign, but this looks like a nice target race for the Danerich gelding.
There isn’t much speed in this race on paper and Fred Kersley should be able to find the front fairly comfortably.
He will give his rivals something to chase.
Race 6 – 8:45pm – Behind The Barriers Handicap, (1600m)
Akecheta has been racing well without winning and this is his chance to get another race win on the board.
He hasn’t produced a bad effort yet this campaign and he was gallant behind the talented Imperial Lad at The Valley last start.
Alana Kelly will be able to ride him aggressively from the wide barrier draw and he will be in the finish once again.
Race 7 – 9:15pm – TOTE Bar & Dining Handicap, (1000m)
Award Winner has recorded three wins from her seven race starts and she is a mare that still has plenty of upside.
She finished her campaign with two impressive wins at Pakenham and Caulfield and this sort of company really isn’t that much tougher.
The wide barrier draw isn’t ideal and she will need some luck in running, but I am confident that she is the class mare in this field and she has won first-up in the past.
Race 8 – 9:45pm – Christmas Parties At The Valley Handicap, (1200m)
Ravaged Award is a lightly-raced filly that looks to have plenty of upside.
She got the job done on debut at Ballarat and she ran good time in doing so.
Team Corstens entered her in the Red Roses Stakes on Kennedy Oaks Day, which shows that they clearly have a high opinion on her.
The wide barrier draw means that she will settle in the second of the field, but the step-up to 1200 metres suits and she should be storming home late.
