Raceday focus: The Valley tips, odds and race-by-race analysis

Consistent sprinter Yulong Command has everything in his favour to get back to the winner’s list while jockey Damien Oliver could be in for a bumper haul at The Valley.

Yulong Command was a winner the last time he raced at The Valley and will be out to repeat that feat on Friday night. Picture: Scott Barbour

Herald Sun form analyst Brad Waters runs the rule over the Friday night card at The Valley.

BEST BET

YULONG COMMAND (Race 7 No. 5 – $4.80)

Yulong Command continued his consistent preparation with another solid effort when third to the promising Dickin Medal at Caulfield last time out and getting back to 1200m will be perfect for him. He’ll be hard to run down from barrier two.

NEXT BEST

STARCASTER (Race 1 No. 2 – $5.50)

Starcaster has proven extremely hard for punters to catch in his time in Australia but he could be ready to fire at The Valley on Friday night. He raced closer and wasn’t far away on Boxing Day and that might be the way to ride him over this trip.

ELDERFLOWER (Race 3 No. 1 – $2)

Elderflower is short odds but she should be a shade too good for her rivals in the 955m scamper. She outgunned her rivals at Caulfield last time out and was far from disgraced at BM70 level two runs back. She’ll be hard to beat.

FOXY LADY (Race 8 No. 9 – $3.60)

Foxy Lady was rusty early when a long way off the lead at Caulfield first-up but she powered to the line to finish two lengths from the smart Miss Albania. She’ll be sharper for that and has a good record at The Valley.

Jockey Damien Oliver looks likely to boot home a few winners at The Valley on Friday night. Picture: Getty Images

VALUE BET

MOI CHOUX (Race 5 No. 2 – $10)

Moi Choux led and gave a good sight when beaten less than a length in a good form race at Sale last month. He’s had a month between runs but looks well placed in his assignment at The Valley. Damien Oliver going on is a big plus.

THE JOCKEY

DAMIEN OLIVER

The champion jockey has a full book of eight rides at The Valley on Friday night, including Viridine, the odds-on favourite for the Australia Stakes. His army of followers could be in for a profitable night.

BYALIP (Race 1 No. 7 – $5.50), TELLURIDE (Race 2 No. 13, $5.50), PROUD MIA (Race 3 No. 5 – $4.40), VIRIDINE (Race 4 No. 3 – $1.85), MOI CHOUX (Race 5 No. 2 – $10), DANCE DATE (Race 6 No. 9 – $6.50), ORLANDO GROVE (Race 7 No. 11 – $14), SOPHIA’S CHOICE (Race 8, No. 5 $11).

THE WEEK AHEAD

Mornington races on Friday before The Valley holds its Australia Stakes meeting. Yarra Valley, Sandown Hillside and Yea (picnic) all race on Saturday. The week concludes with Geelong and Great Western meetings on Sunday. Warrnambool will be the scene of Monday’s meeting before Caulfield, Kyneton and Balnarring (picnic) conduct fixtures on Australia Day.

Originally published as Raceday focus: The Valley tips, odds and race-by-race analysis