It will be a big night of racing at Moonee Valley on Friday night as punters try to build a bank before the ultimate race day in Victoria, Derby Day.
Christmas Day for blokes is another name for it but let's see if we can find a few winners at Moonee Valley first.
Race one starts at 5:15pm, with the last of nine starting at 9:15pm.
The track is currently rated a Soft 5.
Brendan Bunworth has previewed every race on the Moonee Valley card, so check out his preview and free racing tips below!
Moonee Valley Betting Tips: Friday, October 28th
Race 1
*SCRATCHED* (6) Dakarai didn't have much luck last start at Sale when second on the Soft and he should be ready to fire after a short freshen up for this race. Wendy Kelly usually does get a couple of winners at The Valley on a Friday night during Spring so maybe Dakarai has been set for this.
*SCRATCHED* (4) Life Lessons for the Moody/Nolen combination obviously have to be respected here. The mare has a wide barrier in 10 but has placed second up before and this is slightly easier than her Warrnambool assignment last run.
(10) Jennilala is a first starter from the Maher & Eustace team and has to be taken seriously.
*SCRATCHED* (12) Pink Cashmere is another first starter from the same stable but does have a wide barrier to contend with first up.
Race 2
*SCRATCHED* (3) Invincible Caviar has the inside barrier which should see her push up and contest the lead early. She led all of the way at Sale last start on a Soft 5 and if she gets cheap sectionals in front, should win.
*SCRATCHED* (2) Merlin’s Charm is another Wendy Kelly runner who should run well. She is second up and has won second up before and she did fight well last start when third.
(6) She’s Booming will be running on fresh and has won on Soft ground before. She is consistent and did trial well against Viviane last week.
(1) Ocean’s Jen has won three from 10 but does have to carry 61 kilos.
(3) Invincible Caviar
SCR
Race 3
(3) Stadium of Light with Barend Voster on board should get a nice run from the inside barrier. Was an unplaced favourite only six days ago when starting $1.70 and I think the Hickmott stable will be keen to make amends for that. He does usually settle back a bit but with barrier one and a tight Moonee Valley circuit, i think he may settle around fourth in this one.
(7) Powerful Eagle is running well and should settle in the top 2 for Nolen. He goes back in distance to 1500m and will want the race run slowly.
(2) Heavy Duty has been freshened for this and is another who will likely push forward. His Geelong second on a Soft 6 was very good two starts back.
(1) King Couver got up by a nose last start but meets a Soft track for the first time.
(3) Stadium of Light
$3.10 (2 Units)
Race 4
(6) Long Tycoon for Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott will go close here on the back of his close-up third last start at Kembla Grange. He settled on speed on that occasion and will likely do so again here for Ollie. He has placed on both the Soft and Heavy so conditions should be fine.
(10) Verifier is fitter now and is better than recent unplaced runs. He raced in some good races during winter and wasn’t disgraced.
(1) Dunkel is a Patrick Payne first starter. Should be fit after recent trials.
(2) Fame has barrier 13 and Nolen may go back on this one. There is a big chance he may get too far back though. Risky.
(6) Long Tycoon
$4.00 (2 Units)
Race 5
(10) Perceptive has only had two races in five months but the astute Price & Kent team have been patient with her. She was poor last time when seventh at Moe but her third at Bendigo on September 21 was very good. If the stable trusts that she will run well, then so do I. Will want each-way odds though.
*SCRATCHED* (11) Oceana Blue may get trapped wide from barrier 13 but if Nolen can squeeze in and get cover, she should run well. A better barrier and she's probably my top pick but she has finished second before when second up so she should be ready.
(4) Versilla for Ollie is another who may get trapped wide from barrier 11. She will likely push forward, and she did run well when going forward at Geelong two starts back (first).
*SCRATCHED* (3) Riotous Mischief has done most of her racing on Good tracks which is a concern but she didn't have much luck when fifth at Caulfield last time.
(10) Perceptive E/W
$6.60/$2.20 (1 Unit)
Race 6
(5) Elite Icon is first up for the Tony McEvoy stable, and he has run a second first up before. He has won two from three at The Valley and Johnny Allen will be positive from barrier eight and settle in the top two.
*SCRATCHED* (4) Calla Dream is a consistent mare who will likely follow Elite Icon in the run. She has won four from 10 on the Soft and did run on well for second at Morphettville last start when second.
(7) Mr Moppett goes well second up and had no luck last start. He does like the distance.
(8) Boss Lady Rocks come over from New South Wales and is first up. Does go okay fresh.
(5) Elite Icon
$2.80 (2 Units)
Race 7
*SCRATCHED* (5) Coolth hasn't won in 10 starts but is a very fit racehorse. He does like the Soft and returns to 2040m which will give him an opportunity to settle after being unplaced in the Balaklava Cup which was over the mile.
(4) Cerberus is right in if you forget his poor effort at Caulfield last start when he got beaten by 17L. He had a look at The Valley on September 3 when seventh so at least he's seen the place.
(6) The Awesome Son will want the rain to stay around on Friday night and does come into this race fresh.
(7) Wisaka is the likely favourite and was good when beaten a head at Cranbourne when second last start.
Race 8
(3) Minola was beaten a nose at Moe last start and is knocking on the door for another win. She is fit and has won over this distance before. Allen has won on her before and will know her temperament.
*SCRATCHED* (8) Sacred Lass has been unplaced in her last three but should be ready to hit form now. She won’t want it to rain on Friday, however.
(9) Pearl Rain will want a wet track and she is one who will be running on late. It’s her first time at The Valley but she has won over the 2000m before.
(10) Romania was solid at Sale on Sunday when fifth and is very fit. Barrier one may assist for Craig Newitt.
(3) Minola
$3.50 (1 Unit)
Race 9
(8) Deprivation is the pick here on what is probably the hardest race of the night. He has had three recent jumpouts in readiness for this race and he has won twice from three attempts when first up before. He is two from four at the distance and he is in his right class.
*SCRATCHED* (10) Redzoust has a wide barrier in 11 but did win well last start and has run okay on wet tracks before. He might try and settle on pace here, but will he use up too much petrol getting a forward position?
(11) Rose Tycoon is a stable mate of Redzoust and will settle further back in the run. She has run well at The Valley before and can run a cheeky race here.
*SCRATCHED* (9) Quraysha is a last start winner, but this is harder, and she will need to be at her best from barrier 16.
(8) Deprivation
$7.00 (1 Unit)
