Moonee Valley headlines racing in Victoria this Saturday with nine races on the program.
On what is meant to be a hot day with a top temperature of 36 degrees, Race 1 will get underway at 12:35pm with runners galloping on a Good 4 surface. The Group 2 Australia Stakes is Race 7 on the card with Jigsaw attracting early support.
Brendan Bunworth is back with his free preview and Moonee Valley racing tips below!
Moonee Valley Racing Tips - Saturday, January 28th 2023
Race 1
(1) Sound is in one of the easiest races that he has faced in his career here. In saying that there are still some quality horses in the lineup but the Mike Moroney trained veteran has raced in many a Group race and this could be his swan song at the tender old age of 10. He ran 3rd in the 2800m Bagot Handicap on New Years Day and has been freshened since.
(2) Swords Drawn gets the younger Celine Gaudray on top here in replacement of Damien Oliver. He drops a little weight with her on and will look to back up his good 2nd last time out at Flemington over 2000m.
(4) See Marie rises 500m in distance and Jamie Kah replaces Allanh Kelly as jockey. She likes Good tracks and is in the right stable.
(5) Princess Rahenys got up when we were not on it last time. Before that she was our best of the day when 5th at Hillside. Drops 4.5kg in weight and is sure to be in the top 4.
Race 5
(7) Jean Valjean has trialled well in the lead up to this event and he comes over from South Australia with confidence. I rarely back SA horses over here in Vic but this guy is very consistent and trainer Will Clarken has just started to figure him out the last couple of months. It has been a month in between runs but this horse does go well fresh. Kah takes the sit.
(6) Bifrost gets another look at The Valley after running 5th here 5 days ago. He is nought from two here but i think he will improve in this one.
(10) Aninatu gets the inside barrier and is only carrying 52kg with Hefel on board. Should run a drum.
(9) Glenferrie Girl will settle handy but this races looks tougher than recent races. She does drop 5kg in weight however.
(7) Jean Valjean
$2.70 (3 units)
Race 6
(6) Luna Cat has drawn well in barrier 3 and he should get a nice run before unleashing a powerful finish like he did when he flashed home over 1000m at Ladbrokes Park Hillside. He is fitter now and has won second up previously. The extra 200m should suit and he did win over the 1200m at The Valley on December 3, 2021.
(2) Quraysha likes The Valley and is another who will hit the line strongly with Luna Cat. He is carrying 2.5kg more than the Cat which might be the telling factor.
(1) Danny’s St Darci has won 4 from 10 on Good tracks but is carrying the most weight. From barrier one though, she should be able to stick to the inside and save a couple of lengths.
(4) Defiant Diva should be running on also and should run into 4th or 5th. Look for this one in a few weeks.
(6) Luna Cat
$3.20 (3 units)
Race 7
(8) Turaath is slightly down in class from who she she was up against last time and despite her first up record being poor i think Maddi Raymond might have her right for this.
Her latest run was a last in the Group 2 Linlithgow Stakes but she did have WIlliam Buik on that day who was riding poorly at the time. Before that was a very good win at Geelong in the Black Opal on Geelong Cup Day. Damien Lane was on that day and returns to the saddle again.
(7) Calypso Reign has Craig Williams on and has never been unplace first up.
(5) Jigsaw is the likely favourite and Colin Alderson has him flying after winning three on the bounce. Might lead again and become a sitting duck late.
(2) Western Empire loves Good tracks and it will be interesting to see how he is going for the Leek team. Simon Zahra hops on.
(8) Turaath
$4.80 (1 unit)
Quaddie Tips
Leg one: 1, 2, 6
Leg two: 5, 7, 8
Leg three: 4, 9 13
Leg four: 4, 13
