Raceday focus: Best bets for Friday’s meetings at The Valley and Cranbourne

The best bets come early on a big Friday night with meetings at both The Valley and Cranbourne.

Racing takes place at The Valley on Friday night. Picture: Vince Caligiuri-Getty Images

Form analyst Jett Hatton runs the rule over Friday’s twilight meetings at The Valley and Cranbourne.

THE VALLEY

BEST BET

LA SPEIZA (R1 No.1 – $3.80)

Has struck heavy tracks at her last six starts and hasn’t been disgraced but is much more effective on a fast track. She also loves The Valley and looks to get the run of the race from gate two with Craig Williams on board.

NEXT BEST

EXTREME STEP (R8 No.2 – $6)

Going great guns this prep having won two of four and turned in a credible performance behind Invincible Caviar last start. That form looks good now and he’s drawn well with Micky Dee aboard.

VALUE BET

BOB THE HORSE (R4 No.1 – $10)

He’s a 13-start maiden but you can’t knock his consistency having finished in the placings at six of his last seven starts. At an each-way price, expect another honest effort from Bob The Horse.

THE JOCKEY: Craig Williams

Will prove hard to beat in the jockey challenge as six of his seven rides are hard in the market.

La Speiza (R1 No.1 – $4.20), Fire Glo Too (R2 No.5 – $3), Russian Summer (R3 No.6 – $7), Crimson Light (R4 No.7 – $6), Jabbawockeez (R5 No.9 – $7), Test The Law (R7 No.4 – $7.50), Jillette (R8 No.4 – $26)

Craig Williams is the jockey to follow on Friday night. Picture: Michael Klein

CRANBOURNE

BEST BET

SOUL CHOICE (R1 No.7 – $2.50)

Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have sent Redoute’s Choice filly Soul Choice to Cranbourne for her debut where she looks well placed. Displayed her ability in her latest trial when gapping them by four lengths at Randwick, if it translates to race day she’ll win.

NEXT BEST

GLASS MOUNTAIN (R3 No.14 – $7)

Gerry Harvey has sent former Kiwi Glass Mountain to Nick Ryan’s stable and she looks well placed in this maiden for fillies and mares. Displayed a sharp turn of foot when coming from well back to finish two lengths off Crazy In Love before crossing the ditch.

VALUE BET

ALPHAVILLE (R8 No.16 – $14)

Like the way this race sets up for Alphaville. He’s got a strong finishing burst and looks set to sit behind a hot tempo and rip home late. Only the two wins from 24 but he’s finished runner-up seven times and looks a good each-way gamble.

THE JOCKEY: Celine Gaudray

Trainers are keen to use the claim for apprentice Celine Gaudray as she’s got a few nice rides.

Alice Downs (R3 No.1 – $23), Lofty Star (R6 No.1 – $5.50), Spirit Maker (R7 No.12 – $16), Alphaville (R8 No.16 – $14)

Nick Ryan now has former Kiwi Glass Mountain in his stable. Picture: Racing Photos)

MOE

BEST BET

FIRST IMMORTAL (R1 No.9 – $3.50)

Liked his effort last time out stepping up in trip and think he improves again out to 2050m. Drawn to get every favour in running from the inside gate.

NEXT BEST

TAHITIAN WARRIOR (R3 No.7 – $4.60)

Not an overly strong maiden which gives this three-year-old colt his chance to break the maiden status. OK last start after a wide run in transit, if he gets a bit more luck in running on Friday it will go a long way.

VALUE BET

BAHAMA BAY (R2 No.1 – $9)

This colt put in a good effort on debut, fighting all the way but just missing on the bob. Showed good muster out of the gates that day so expect him to lead and prove hard to beat.

JOCKEY: Tom Prebble

The son of Group 1 winning hoop Brett Prebble has only had a handful of rides and legs aboard two at Moe.

Elly Dee (R4 No.11 – $3), Red Impulse (R5 No.14 – $26)

Originally published as Raceday focus: Best bets for Friday’s meetings at The Valley and Cranbourne