Raceday focus: Best bets, analysis for The Valley on Friday night

Growl is capable of repeating his impressive first-up win while a track specialist will go around at a good price at The Valley on Friday night.

Smart three-year-old colt Growl will be out to complete successive wins at The Valley on Friday night. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

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

BEST BET

GROWL (Race 1 No.4 – $4.40)

Growl impressed with the manner of his first-up win, which showed he has come back well from a break. He’ll be fitter and should be hard to beat again.

NEXT BEST

POINT BLAZE (Race 2 No.3 – $6.50)

Point Blaze turned in a solid effort in stakes class in Adelaide last start and her previous form was solid. She races best at 1200m and looks well suited at The Valley.

INVERELL (Race 6 No.1 – $2.30)

Forgiving Inverell’s second-up effort when a beaten favourite last time out. He’ll be fitter, drops in class for this and should get every chance from barrier two.

BON’S A PEARLA (Race 8 No.1 – $6)

Drops back in class after a terrific effort in the Australian Guineas and went well at Group 2 level before that. She’s drawn a touch awkwardly but should be thereabouts.

Lady Solly will attempt to improve her already impressive 955m record at The Valley on Friday night. Picture: AAP

VALUE BET

LADY SOLLY (Race 5 No.6 – $10)

Lady Solly loves the 955m course at The Valley where she has won four of eight starts. She’s up in class but drops 4kg on her last win. She’s a great each-way chance.

THE JOCKEY

MARK ZAHRA

Zahra has four rides at The Valley on Friday night before he heads to Sydney to ride at Rosehill on Saturday. CROSSWINDS (Race 3 No.4 – $5), SHOUT THE BAR (Race 4 No.1 – $12), THE INFERNO (Race 7 No.3 – $15), DAISIES (Race 8 No.2 – $6).

THE WEEK AHEAD

The Mornington Cup meeting will take centre stage on Saturday while Avoca and Healesville (picnic) also race. Bairnsdale and Ballarat race on Sunday before a race-free Monday. Racing resumes at Benalla on Tuesday before city racing resumes at Sandown on Wednesday.

Originally published as Raceday focus: Best bets, analysis for The Valley on Friday night