The Valley tips: Rothfire a good bet in Group 1 Moir Stakes
Another Queensland sprinter can claim the Moir Stakes crown while Asfoora will improve her impressive record at The Valley on Friday night.
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News Corp form analyst Brad Waters takes an early look at Friday night’s Group 1 Moir Stakes meeting at The Valley.
BEST BET
ASFOORA (Race 5, No.8)
Asfoora was a dominant first-up winner at Sandown earlier this month. She’s Group-placed and should be hard to beat again.
VALUE BET
GLINT OF HOPE (Race 8, No.8)
Glint Of Hope closed well when not far away at Flemington first-up. She’ll enjoy the 1600m and won’t be far away.
EARLY QUADDIE
1, 2, 10, 11/2, 4, 5, 8/1, 3, 7, 15/3, 4, 5, 9
$100 flexi for 39.06 per cent
BIG6
1, 3, 7, 15/3, 4, 5, 9/5, 8/4, 8, 9/3, 4, 9, 12/1, 2, 6, 8
$100 flexi for 6.51 per cent
QUADDIE
Race 6: 5, 8
Race 7: 4, 8, 9
Race 8: 3, 4, 9, 12
Race 9: 1, 2, 6, 8
$100 flexi for 104.16 per cent
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RACE 1: ASPECT KITCHENS PLATE (1200m)
Soft track expected for Friday night’s Moir Stakes meeting. EL PADRINO (1) pushed forward and fought on well when close-up at Listed level first-up and will only be fitter. OCEANS ABOVE (12) scored easily at his only run last time in and will have had time to develop. KAYGEEBEE (11) bolted in on debut and could measure up to this. CUSTODIAN (10) relished the drop in class first-up and will be much fitter for that outing.
SUGGESTED BET: El Padrino to win.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Shalaman $4.20 – $3.80
RACE 2: GROUP 3 SCARBOROUGH STAKES (1200m)
BOUND FOR HOME (5) ran on hard to score a surprise win at Caulfield first-up and ran a solid second at Flemington second-up last time in. Expecting another strong performance at The Valley. PRAIRIE FLOWER (8) is fit for two promising efforts this time in and could measure up. QUEEN OF THE BALL (2) comes out of a good form race in Sydney and should be around the mark. TROACH (4) was a good winner at The Valley last time and is worth thought again.
SUGGESTED BET: Bound For Home to win.
TAB MARKET MOVER: English Riviera $4.80 – $3.70.
RACE 3: MSC SIGNS HANDICAP (1200m)
SNAPPER (7) is specialist at The Valley and has terrific early speed. He was beaten less than three lengths at Group 1 level here last time in and should be hard to run down. CLEMENCEAU (3) will be the hardest to beat after a strong first-up run at Rosehill last time. SHARP RESPONSE (15) races well first-up and raced consistently last time in, including a stakes placing at Bendigo. NOT TO BE MIST (1) goes well fresh and should be prominent despite the tricky gate.
SUGGESTED BET: Snapper to win.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Clemenceau $2.8- – $2.25.
RACE 4: GROUP 2 STUTT STAKES (1600m)
Tricky race but MURAMASA (9) could measure up to this on the strength of his impressive debut win at Sale last time out. HE’S HEAVEN (5) pushed forward and fought on well when not far behind the promising Berkeley Square at Flemington. He’ll again go forward and will be hard to run down. VIRTUOUS CIRCLE (3) ran on well to get up narrowly here last time and will be better for that outing. TIJUANA (4) ran on hard behind Berkeley Square and looks suited at the 1600m.
SUGGESTED BET: Muramasa each-way.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Tijuana $3.20 – $2.80
RACE 5: 55 SECOND CHALLENGE HEAT 1 (955m)
ASFOORA (8) is a smart mare on the way to harder races and should be tough to beat with the fitness gained from her impressive first-up win at Sandown. GALENUS (5) chased home Galenus when resuming at Sandown first-up and he’s a second-up winner. YULONG COMMAND (4) is yet to win first-up but has a cracking record around The Valley and he has jumped out well at Flemington leading up to this. ROSE QUARTZ (7) is unbeaten first-up and did enough in her trials and jumpouts to indicate a forward showing is likely.
SUGGESTED BET: Asfoora to win.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Asfoora $2.90 – $2.40.
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RACE 6: GROUP 3 JRC CUP (2040m)
Tricky edition of the JRA Cup, made even more difficult by the scratching of Nonconformist. DESERT ICON (8) enjoyed a good run before scoring over this course last time and drops to 54kg despite winning well third-up. GREAT HOUSE (4) ran on well behind Makram first-up and has an excellent second-up record while he races well over this trip. AURORA’S SYMPHONY (7) did her best work when resuming and she’s placed both times at The Valley. MAKRAM (7) finished hard to score second-up but should be thereabouts if he handles The Valley.
SUGGESTED BET: Desert Icon to win.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Makram $4.60 – $4.
RACE 7: GROUP 1 MOIR STAKES (1000m)
The speedsters will race for $1m in the Moir Stakes in which ROTHFIRE (3) looks suited after his McEwen Stakes win and he’s unbeaten over the 1000m trip. BELLA NIPOTINA (9) fought on well to score first-up and races well at The Valley and soft ground won’t worry her. ZOUSTYLE (4) led and tried hard in the McEwen Stakes and should again give them something to chase. COOLANGATTA (12) will be much better for her first-up effort and should be harder to hold out.
SUGGESTED BET: Rothfire to win.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Rothfire $4.80 – $4.40.
RACE 8: GROUP 2 STOCKS STAKES (1600m)
Tough finish for punters in the Stocks Stakes but going with GLINT OF HOPE (8) is worth an each-way bet after she chased well when not far away when resuming at Flemington. She’ll enjoy the 1600m trip. DEFIANT DIVA (6) steps up in class for this after a good effort at Sandown last time but she’ll run well. KISSONALLFOURCHEEKS (1) was well ridden to win the Let’s Elope Stakes at Flemington and should go close again. FOXY FRIDA (2) ran on well first-up and is worth including again.
SUGGESTED BET: Glint Of Hope each-way.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Foxy Frida $8 – $6.
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