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Four-Play, Quadzilla: $200 betting strategy for William Reid Stakes meeting at The Valley

News Corp racing reporter Gilbert Gardiner gives his $200 betting strategy and quaddie analysis for The Valley on Saturday.

Gilbert GardinerGilbert Gardiner
@gilbertgardiner
3 min read
March 21, 2025 - 9:48AM
Punters - Hold All Tickets Ep 28 - Group 1 smorgasbord

News Corp racing reporter Gilbert Gardiner gives his $200 betting strategy and quaddie analysis for the William Reid Stakes meeting at The Valley on Saturday.

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FOUR-PLAY: $200 BETTING STRATEGY

RACE 2: LISTED VALLEY PEARL (1200m)

$50 win CHERGUI (1) $2.30

Surged to the line late last Saturday in the $1m The Showdown, not the clearest passage in the straight, to run third behind McGaw. Not going to improve much, five starts into first campaign, but the two-year-old Frosted colt would need to only hold form to be competitive. Drawn to be prominent in the small field and Godolphin wouldn’t back up the colt unless he bounced through the run last week. Expect PURE PASSION (6) to run very well. Quinella?

RACE 4: BENCHMARK 84 (1500m)

$50 win STAY FOCUSED (14) at $5

Easiest race the Cosmic Force gelding has contested for quite some time. Big drop in class and not beaten far in either the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) or Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m). Drawn wide here but has the tactical speed to lead and dictate the race with only 54kg on his back. Could 1500m be the sweet spot after recent runs? Favourite VERDAD (1) has placed in four of five starts at The Valley, should be in the frame somewhere.

RACE 6: GROUP 2 ALISTER CLARK STAKES (2040m)

$50 win SHANWAH (2) at $2.60

Short enough in the market but commands respect after three solid wins on the bounce. Far too good in a Mornington maiden three back and then showed an sharp turn of foot to bank an easy Benchmark 64 win at Caulfield Heath. The three-year-old Too Darn Hot gelding dug in for another strong win last start in the Group 2 Autumn Classic (1800m) at Caulfield. Rise in distance to 2040m looks ideal and could punch a ticket to the Group 1 Australian Derby (2500m) in Sydney with another victory on Saturday.

RACE 9: GROUP 1 WILLIAM REID STAKES (1200m)

$50 win JIMMYSSTAR (1) at $2.80

Barnstorming Group 1 Oakleigh Plate winner has earned a crack at the William Reid Stakes on Saturday at The Valley. Harder here at weight-for-age, up 4kg compared 54.5kg carried under handicap conditions last start, but not beyond the progressive Per Incanto gelding, an eight-time winner from only 15 starts. Should be within striking distance of the speed from barrier two and need only luck at the top of the straight to claim back-to-back Group 1 wins.

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QUADZILLA

LEG 1 - RACE 8

ANOTHER PROPHET (13) charged late in the Group 2 Kewney Stakes (1600m), recorded the fastest last 600m, 400m, and 200m of the race but ultimately got too far back in the run to finish better than fourth. Up against the mares here but the Group 1 Thousand Guineas winner should be ready for a peak performance. LADY JONES (3) has won twice second-up previously. Drawn wide but more than capable. Include QUINTESSA (1) and GRINZINGER BELLE (5).

1ST LEG 1, 3, 5, 13

LEG 2 - RACE 9

JIMMYSSTAR (1) the horse to beat clearly after a rampaging Group 1 Oakleigh Plate success last start. Up in weight but has class and winning record to be in the frame again. Respect BENEDETTA (5), eye-catcher first-up in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington and then no luck in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m). The Goodwood winner could bounce back sharply here. Include Oakleigh Plate runner-up SHE’S BULLETRPOOF (7) and STRETAN ANGEL (6), who placed in both the Lightning and Newmarket.

2ND LEG 1, 5, 6, 7

LEG 3 - RACE 10

CLEARN ENERGY (7), the prized sister of three-time Group 1 winner Sunlight, was not beaten far first-up at Flemington and probably didn’t quite love the straight track. Should appreciate the bend second-up although has a wide barrier now to contend with. SCILLATO (8) has not put a hoof wrong, three starts for three wins, and from an ideal draw could remain unbeaten. Include ON DISPLAY (16) at odds.

3RD LEG 7, 8, 16

LEG 4 - RACE 11

MYTEMPTATION (10) has a perfect record – four from four – to protect on Saturday. The four-year-old gelding has won at The Valley previously. Drawn to stalk the speed and be strongest late. HEDGED (3) held over a week after being fancied in a stronger race than this last Saturday at Caulfield. The Capitalist gelding has won and placed first-up previously. Include South Australian raider KLABEL (5).

4TH LEG 3, 5, 10

COST $100 FOR 69%

SKINNY QUADDIE

Start with QUINTESSA (1) and ANOTHER PROPHET (13). In the second leg take JIMMYSSTAR (1) and BENEDETTA (5). In the third leg take CLEAN ENERGY (7) and SCILLATO (8). Come home with HEDGED (3) and MYTEMPTATION (10).

1ST LEG: 1, 13

2ND LEG: 1, 5

3RD LEG: 7, 8

4TH LEG: 3, 10

COST $100 FOR 625%

Originally published as Four-Play, Quadzilla: $200 betting strategy for William Reid Stakes meeting at The Valley

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Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/sport/horse-racing/fourplay-quadzilla-200-betting-strategy-for-william-reid-stakes-meeting-at-the-valley/news-story/27281f7581804008c60be7b67cccb40f