Night racing at Moonee Valley gets underway this Friday, and a fab card has been assembled, headlined by the Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Group 1 level as well as the clash between Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni in the Feehan Stakes (1600m).
We've got every race covered for you below, with both Brendan Bunworth and Adam Page jumping in to bring you their form analysis and betting tips for the night!
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Moonee Valley Racing Tips: Friday September 27 2024
Race 1: VOBIS Silver Three Years Old Quality Handicap - 6:15pm AEST (Brendan)
(6) Stolli Bolli closed off nicely in a slowly run race at this track last start and if it’s a faster run race here he should close off nicely once again and finish in the top three. A senior jockey in Blake Shinn hops on and the horse has already shown that he is capable on both Good and Soft tracks.
(5) Adolfito is first up and is 1 from 1 on the Soft so he might want a track downgrade. He has won a trial since his spell and Damien Lane has already won on him previously.
(7) Thames has drawn well in 2 and was a 2L Cranbourne winner last time. Has the ability to run on late.
Tip: No Bet
Race 2: Drummond Golf Handicap - 6:45pm AEST (Brendan)
(2) Bel Air is first up but did win a Flemington trial over 800m on September 6. Baraqiel was in that trial so it was a decent one and Bel Air is 1 from 1 at The Valley. He may want the track to stay in the Good range though. Is big odds and will be better in a few weeks but is over the odds.
(4) Baraqiel will be better second up which he is here and he is 1 from 1 when second up from a spell. Loves the 1200m and has already won 3 times over this distance.
(1) Home Rule may get back from barrier 10 but if the track is Soft he will run home well. Getting back at The Valley can be risky though.
Tip: No Bet
Race 3: Ladbrokes 55 second challenge Heat 1 - 7:15pm AEST (Brendan)
*SCRATCHED* (12) Pharari has the widest barrier here in 12 and will obviously need luck. She bolted in when favourite last start and that was from the outside gate (7). Failed up the straight at Flemington two starts back but will bet better there in a few weeks, but the 955m looks ideal for the well-named mare. First try at The Valley.
(8) Frilled is resuming and has drawn nicely in 2. She is 3 from 3 on the Dry ground and has won a 955m race before at The Valley.
Race 4: Feehan Stakes 1600m - 7.45pm AEST (Adam)
It's not the feature race but it'll be the highlight given it'll be the closest we'll ever see when it comes to a match race. I am leaning towards (4) Pride Of Jenni, who had excuses fresh in the Memsie before going to the Makybe Diva where she led, did her thing and looked all over the winner but couldn't quite fend off Mr Brightside. I think at The Valley, her racing style is going to see her prove incredibly hard to run down.
(1) Mr Brightside is the obvious given he is the best miler in Australia and is a borderline champion. He was ridden a treat by Williams in the Makybe Diva and the ride, I thought, was the difference between winning and losing, timing the run to absolute perfection. He likely is the stalker again but the tactics and timing from Williams as to when to push the button will be fascinating.
Someone has to run third and I think connections would be disappointed if (2) Antino doesn't finish third and beat home Attrition. He was given a 12/10 in the Makybe Diva and tried his guts out but couldn't go with the first two. I think if he stalks Mr Brightside, he's a lock to run top three. If he is the one dragging the field to Jenni, he could be left vulnerable late.
(4) Pride Of Jenni
$2.00 (5 Units)
Race 5: Ladbrokes Scarborough Stakes - 8:15pm AEST (Brendan)
(1) Eneeza has drawn well in barrier 3 and is resuming. She goes well when fresh and Damien Lane will be hooking out at the 600m mark to make a long sustained run to reel them in. He is a run-on type and a Soft track would be nice because he has won twice from 3 starts on rain-affected ground. His last win was on April 13 at Randwick where he ran on well to score after being 7th on the home bend. Before that was a 7th placed finish in the Golden Slipper.
(4) Geegees Mistruth was 2nd in the Group 3 Quizette at Caulfield last start. She's raced in stronger races than this before and she could lead.
(3) Bellatrix Star is a big place chance if the track is downgraded to Soft. First start at The Valley.
(1) Eneeza Each-Way
$4.60/$1.90 (1 Unit)
Race 6: Stutt Stakes 1600m - 8.45pm AEST (Adam)
I am a big wrap for (7) Henlein and despite the tricky gate, he's clearly the one to beat. He resumed in the Ming Dynasty at Rosehill where he was one of the first off the bit but he picked up and was very strong late, especially through and after the line. He has eyes on a race like the Spring Champion I dare say and I am confident this will be a winning stepping stone.
(3) Dawn Service looks the likely leader and from there, he'll take running down. On paper, just a win in the Exford, but keep in mind he was several weeks between runs, first look racing the Melbourne way and was there to be beaten but he found under pressure to fend them off. He'll look the winner for a long way.
(2) Evaporate is flying for Team Hayes and seemingly has a real love affair for the track, winning his past two. Has he beaten much? No, but the way he has been putting them away has been quite impressive and he will have no issue with a truly run mile. Good test here, but think he can measure up.
(7) Henlein
$7.00 (3 Units)
Race 7: Manikato Stakes 1200m - 9.15pm AEST (Adam)
I have been hot on (2) Veight for this race for a couple of months and I am not dropping off. I was slightly worried after his first trial but the second trial, it was a very good piece of work, closing off with purpose when second to noted speedster Katsu. Tricky draw, but should press forward, he flies fresh and is proven at the track/distance.
The gate is awful for (1) I Wish I Win but he is the best horse in the race. He lost sight of the bunny in the Moir but I really liked the way he finished his race off in defeat in a strong return behind all the way winner Mornington Glory. Spots them a start but if he gets a drag into the race, he can launch at them late.
(5) Johnny Rocker is very dangerous at a big price. He did enough I thought in the Moir but I was really taken by his recent jumpout, settling off the speed and the change up speed when clicked up was very impressive. Similar to I Wish I Win, he needs a drag, but if he does, he can explode and a win wouldn't shock.
(2) Veight
$9.80 (2 Units)
Race 8: Ladbrokes Stocks Stakes - 9:45pm AEST (Brendan)
(5) Alesphina has won 9 from 16 races and has another wide barrier here in 10 after having barrier 12 last start when she was 3rd in the Group 2 Let’s Elope. It's been 18 months since she last won a race but she has a good second up record having won twice from 4 attempts. At Flemington on September 14 she was 3rd behind Grinzinger Belle who took off midrace and opened the race right up. She will likely get back in the pack again but will be running on powerfully after a number of trials leading into this campaign.
(3) Macarana is big odds and can Place after drawing well in 3. Has run a placing in 4 of his last 5 starts.
(7) Jennilala drew wide when 4th and Caulfield (11) and has drawn better this time in barrier 4. Likes The Valley.
(5) Alesphina
$4.00 (2 Units)
