Victorian racing on Friday night heads to Moonee Valley, where eight races have been set down, the feature being the Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m). The track as of Wednesday evening is a Good 4 and with fine weather on the cards, the track will be on the firm side. Adam Page provides his best bets for The Valley below!
Moonee Valley Racing Tips: Friday October 25th 2024
Race 6: VOBIS Gold Star 1500m - 8.45pm AEDT
To me, I reckon Team Hayes are training (3) Apulia as more of a miler/2000m horse vs a stayer. He should have won the Derby last year but since then, he has done nothing. Been given a good break, he's jumped out really well for his return, winner at The Valley and maps to stalk the speed. I think he's here to run really well.
(4) Run Harry Run is third up from a spell and should just about be at peak fitness. He comes through the race at Caulfield won by Jimmysstar when doing work to land on speed and tried hard but couldn't quite see it through late in the piece. Shinn back on, and if he can get across without spending too many petrol tickets, he's dangerous.
(5) Magnaspin is dangerous here. He comes through the Toorak where he was left flat footed when the sprint went on and couldn't quite go with them late in the piece behind Antino. Better set up here, winner at the track, his best is good enough to be dangerous.
Race 7: Moonee Valley Gold Cup 2500m - 9.15pm AEDT
(4) Manzoice is a big price here I feel. He comes through the Bart Cummings where the race shape was totally against him and I am not 100% sure he was happy on the shifty track. Back on a firmer deck, Blinkers off Joao sticking with him, I think he'll run a ripping race.
(5) Francesco Guardi wouldn't have looked out of place in the Caulfield Cup so with that in mind, he's hard to beat here. He ran a beauty in the Turnbull I thought, sticking on really well after getting a suck run in transit. Looked hard to beat in the Geelong Cup but was scratched with this race in mind, a race he won two years ago.
(7) Okita Soushi is borderline to get a start on the first Tuesday in November. He found firmer footing and was ridden with intent in the Herbert Power, and he ran an improved race when second to stablemate Herman Hesse. I think with a bunny to chase now he's hard fit, he can run a much-improved race.
(4) Manzoice
$12 (1 Unit)
Race 8: Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge Heat 3 955m - 9.45pm AEDT
(16) Rumours Abound on top for me. Ron Stubbs rarely gets it wrong when he comes to Melbourne and he brings this mare here. She resumes after a run at Sandown on June 19 over 1000m when leading and just feeling the pinch late behind Go To Hollywood. Looks suited to the 955m and has trialled up well for the return.
(10) Fission does tend to save his best for this track/distance so he commands respect. He ran over 1000m at Sandown last time out on Sep 9 where he got back and did make up ground but was never really threatening behind Isthmus. Back to where he races best, maps to stalk the speed, he takes beating.
(12) Moon And Back is a knockout hope for Andrew Noblet. She resumes, having not raced since the Flat Knacker on Albury Cup Day where she was down the track behind Sparring. Another that loves the Moonee Valley 955m, jumped out well and will be strong late.
(16) Rumours Abound
$4.70 (2 Units)
