Five major players with bigger plans than just this weekend
MATT Stewart identifies five classy horses — four at Moonee Valley, one at Rosehill — who will run well on Saturday and be significant players this spring.
SuperRacing
Don't miss out on the headlines from SuperRacing. Followed categories will be added to My News.
MATT Stewart identifies five classy horses — four at Moonee Valley, one at Rosehill — who will run well on Saturday and be significant players this spring.
HOT TIPS: WEEKEND BEST BETS
THE EARLY OIL: MOONEE VALLEY
RACE WATCH: DAVO’S TIPS FOR ROSEHILL
SPRING CARNIVAL: THOSE DATES THAT MATTER
PARIAH
Rosehill Race 7, No. 2
Three-year-old colt
Trainers: Peter and Paul Snowden
The Snowden’s have had enough top 3YO colts in recent times to know when the next one comes along and Paul Snowden says this one has “X factor.’’ Blue Diamond runner-up in the summer. Has been trialling brilliantly.
SPRING AIM: THE GOLDEN ROSE
TULIP
Moonee Valley Race 3, No. 1
Three-year-old filly
Trainers: Team Hayes
Could easily have highlighted Limestone, Ramooz or Garrard in same race. Classy group resuming. But Tulip might have the most scope for races like the Thousand Guineas. Great pedigree, all quality.
SPRING AIM: THOUSAND GUINEAS
ALMANDIN
Moonee Valley Race 5, No. 1
Eight-year-old gelding
Trainer: Rob Hickmott
Last year’s Melbourne Cup winner not sighted since that win and (ambitiously) at $21 to go back-to-back. Had niggles that have had to be sorted out. Suggest he’s not classy enough to be a repeat Cup winner but this is the first stepping stone.
SPRING AIM: MELBOURNE CUP
FRANKEL MY DEAR
Moonee Valley Race 6 No. 11
Three-year-old colt
Trainer: Rob Laing
Famous for being famous as the first Frankel to race Down Under. Huge effort that day, coming from well back off slack tempo at Flemington and now the focus is on if he can win a major race.
SPRING AIM: CAULFIELD GUINEAS
HEATHERLY
Moonee Valley Race 7 No. 10
Five-year-old mare
Trainers: Ellerton/Zahra
Bit hit and miss from the barriers but very fast and classy. Betting says will win this and then become a spring factor.
SPRING AIM: MOIR STAKES