The Early Oil: Herald Sun racing writer Michael Manley gives his extended preview of Friday night’s Moonee Valley meeting
HERALD Sun’s leading form analyst Michael Manley insists that if frontrunner Miss Rose De Lago can control the tempo she should prove very difficult to run down at the Valley.
HERALD Sun’s leading form analyst Michael Manley insists that if frontrunner Miss Rose De Lago can control the tempo she should prove very difficult to run down at the Valley.
He suggests punters ignore her last-start failure at this track on go on her win in the Sunline Stakes last autumn and also the Lawrence Stakes two starts ago.
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Race 1: MSC Signs Handicap (1500m) 6.30pm
Two major chances. MR INDIVIDUAL (7) worked hard early and fought on quite well when outclassed in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes last Saturday. Will carry same weight in this race. Previous start he put in a huge effort to finish second over 1514m here with big weight and when trapped wide. PLOT THE COURSE (8) ran home strongly when he resumed at Caulfield behind He’s Our Rokkii. Didn’t get going in the autumn but showed a stack of potential last spring. SADAQA (4) is yet to win here but four seconds including last start here behind Mihany. MARWOOD (5) may now be looking for slightly longer trip than 1400m.
SUGGESTED BET: MR INDIVIDUAL THE WIN
Race 2: Quest Moonee Valley Plate (1200m) 7pm
BLUE TYCOON (6) showed great improvement from first-up run when he finished close third behind Barthelona at Caulfield over 1200m last start. Blinkers go on first time. He should position up on the speed. KEN’S DREAM (2) has looked outstanding winning both of his starts including his last one this track and distance. Has to contend with outside barrier. Stablemate DALRADIAN (1) is a winner at this track and he fought on nicely after having had a tough run when trapped wide when close-up seventh to Barthelona. DAM READY (9) finished second behind Dam Ready two starts ago and wasn’t disgraced last start at Flemington behind Saracino. The Hawkes’ LEGERITY (4) weakened last start in Sydney but was checked in the closing stages. Adelaide sprinter BENZ (3) is aiming to make it five wins on end. MATTY (13) has talent.
SUGGESTED BET: BLUE TYCOON EACH-WAY
Race 3: JRA Cup (2040m) 7.30pm
REAL LOVE (1) is an underrated mare who was slightly unlucky when she finished second behind Awesome Rock two starts ago in the Dato over 1600m at this track. Worked home nicely after being held up Jameka in the Naturalism Stakes at Caulfield last start. OBSERVATIONAL (6) finished off well in same race from a long way back. Should be ready to improve. TOM MELBOURNE (7) led in the Naturalism Stakes but was beaten before the turn. He’s better than that. MAGNAPAL (2) was just beaten in this race last year. Finished off nicely in the Naturalism. TARQUIN (11) should be ready to improve over longer distance.
SUGGESTED BET: REAL LOVE THE WIN
Race 4: Inglis 55 Second Challenge Heat 2 8pm
GUN CASE (4) has been freshened since carrying big weight when just beaten by The Dynamo at Sandown last start. He will drop 3.5 kilos on that run and only start at Moonee Valley he won easily three runs ago. Smart mare ESTAMINET (7) resumes. She goes well fresh and trialled nicely at Cranbourne recently. AUNTY MO (8) has won five of seven starts including her last two this track and distance last summer. Stablemates IT IS WRITTEN (1) and GRANE (2) both like this track. GALLANT HARMONY (5) has the talent to be in the finish.
SUGGESTED BET: GUN CASE THE WIN
Race 5: Group 2 Stutt Stakes (1600m) 8.30pm
Greenness brought about the undoing of KACHING (8) last start at Caulfield when he finished third behind Harlow Gold. He was slow to begin and although he was hanging in he still powered home out wide to finished third. Blinkers go on first time. DETECTIVE (1) has won both of his starts this time in impressively. Good effort at Flemington last start as he took the lead a long way out. Kiwi colt MANHATTAN STREET (5) suffered his first defeat in four starts when he was out-bobbed in the final stride by Highlad, who could be a star, in the Wanganui Guineas. INFERENCE (6) has won his past three starts in the country impressively. 1600m should suit. HEY DOC (3) has won his two starts this time in impressively including last start at Moonee Valley over 1514m with big weight. TESSERA (2) tried hard when second behind Detective last start.
SUGGESTED BET: KACHING EACH-WAY
Race 6: Group 2 Zoustar Stocks Stakes (1600m) 9pm
MISS ROSE DE LAGO (2) was too bad to be true at Moonee Valley last start but had plenty of excuses. She had to work hard early on strong tempo and then was checked on straightening. Different scenario in this as she should be able to control the tempo. Go on her win this track and distance in the Sunline Stakes last autumn and also the Lawrence Stakes two starts ago. DON’T DOUBT MAMMA (10) rallied hard to win the Let’s Elope Stakes last start. She’s a classy mare with a good finishing burst. RISING ROMANCE (1) steps back from Group 1 level for a rare crack at her own sex. She was beaten by Black Heart Bart first-up in the Memsie before fair effort in the Makybe Diva Stakes. JESSY BELLE (3) as always had a luckless run when close-up in the Let’s Elope Stakes.
SUGGESTED BET: MISS ROSE DE LAGO THE WIN
Race 7: Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) 9.30pm
Should be a stack of speed which will play into the hands of the star in Grey Flash CHAUTAUQUA (2). Obviously he’ll settle back and charge home. He’s won first-up at his last five preparations and is undefeated in two runs at Moonee Valley. He looked sharp in recent Flemington jump-out. Brilliant three-year-old colt EXTREME CHOICE (9) resumes. He will be ridden back and with light-weight should go close. The grand veteran BUFFERING (1) is trying to win his fourth Moir Stakes. He’ll be setting a cracking pace. Wildcard could be CHLOE IN PARIS (8) who will take a sit also off the speed. LUCKY HUSSLER (3) should also sprint home strongly.
SUGGESTED BET: CHAUTAUQUA THE WIN
Race 8: William Hill Handicap (1200m) 10pm
Sydney sprinter SIR BACCHUS (4) is a gifted sprinter who is probably a level above his opposition but can do a few things wrong. Missed the kick and then came home in the slower going along the fence when fourth at Rosehill last start. SEBRING Sun (7) had a tough run when he stepped up to 1400m last start. Go on third behind Voodoo Lad this track and distance before that. FAST CASH (8) was disappointing here last start but go on second to JUST MAGICAL (1) this track and distance at his previous start. HEZA RIPPER (3) has won four of his past five starts. TADDEI TONDO (2) hasn’t had much luck in recent starts but should go close if he gets the right breaks.
SUGGESTED BET: SIR BACCHUS THE WIN
Originally published as The Early Oil: Herald Sun racing writer Michael Manley gives his extended preview of Friday night’s Moonee Valley meeting
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