2017 Moir Stakes Night has drawn some of the Spring Carnival’s best horses to The Valley on Friday night and we are set for an outstanding eight race card.
Five races will be contested under black type conditions on Friday night, but we have analysed all eight races on 2017 Moir Stakes Night in detail, in order to help you find a winner.
The Moir Stakes Night action is set to get underway with the running of the Sporting Globe After The Last Plate (1200m) at 6:30pm, while the feature race is slated to run at 9:30pm.
Race 1 (6:30pm) Sporting Globe After The Last Plate (1200m)
Ten three-year-old colts and gelding will step out in Race 1 on Moir Stakes Night and there is a case to be made for several runners. Danger Deal (barrier 7) returned to the races for a smart win at Morphettville on September 9th and will only improve into this race, albeit at a tougher grade, while Hecta (barrier 4) also won first-up, but has continued to drift since betting markets opened on Wednesday. Exciting Godolphin prospect Coruscate (barrier 3) is drawn ideally with Dwayne Dunn in the saddle, but contests the race first-up and may require a run. Kobayashi (barrier 6) has been charged with carrying a race-high 56.5kgs, but is rock-hard fit ahead of his third start this campaign and has the notable advantage of Joao Moreira in the saddle.
Tip: No. 2 Kobayashi ($4.20)
Race 2 (7:00pm) Strathmore Flowers Handicap (1200m)
A capacity field has been taken for Race 2 at The Valley on Friday night and there is winning potential across the board. Well Sprung (barrier 6) is yet to show his best through two starts this time, but is a Valley specialist and faces arguably the weakest field of his preparation in this race. Sebring Sun (barrier 8) has not been seen at the races since April, but relishes racing fresh and is drawn well with claiming apprentice Ben Allen in the saddle. Demonstrate (barrier 10) is another horse that will resume in the race and will need plenty of luck from a wide draw and with 60kgs in tow, while Runsati (barrier 4) has steadily built to the task this time and is set to peak in form with ideal conditions here.
Tip: No. 3 Well Sprung – Each Way ($18/$5.50)
Race 3 (7:30pm) Group 3 Scarborough Stakes (1200m)
Eleven three-year-old fillies will step out in the Group 3 Scarborough Stakes, but all focus will be on The Everest-bound Houtzen (barrier 3). The Magic Millions winner appeared flat when she resumed for third in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1200m) at The Valley, but she should take plenty of improvement into this race and needs to win well to justify her position in October 14th’s $10 million feature race. Fox Swift broke through for a maiden black type win in the Listed Cap D’antibes (1100m) on September 16th and looms as Houtzen’s biggest danger, while Invincible Star (barrier 10) will resume in the race, but won the Group 3 Ottawa Stakes (1000m) and finished sixth in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic and is a live chance once more after trialling well.
Tip: No. 1 Houtzen ($1.65)
Race 4 (8:00pm) Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge Heat 1 (955m)
A capacity field will contest the night’s shortest sprint and the scratching of leading contender Miss Vista has well and truly opened the race from a betting perspective. Super Too (barrier 1) was a smart winner at Randwick last time out and looms as the horse to beat, while Super Maxi (barrier 6) will also take plenty of improvement into this race and is drawn ideally. Madeenaty (barrier 5) faded in the late stages of the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) last time out, but will appreciate a step back in distance and class and will be extremely difficult to beat with only 55kgs in tow. Petite’s Reward (barrier 10) faces a step up in class and a potentially tough draw to overcome, but recorded a strong win at Ladbrokes Park last time out and has genuine each-way claims.
Tip: No. 10 Madeenaty ($6)
Race 5 (8:30pm) Group 3 JRA Cup (2040m)
A classy field of stayers will step out in this year’s JRA Cup and there is a case to be made for close to every horse. Group 1 winner Tavago (barrier 8) will take plenty of improvement into the race and will be ridden by Hugh Bowman, while fellow Group 1 winner Jon Snow (barrier 11) is yet to show his best this time, but should enjoy a step up in trip. Star Exhibit (barrier 12) lost his jockey at the start of the Group 2 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m), but had be backed into favouritism prior to the race and should perform well in the JRA Cup. Berisha (barrier 2), Grey Lion (barrier 10) and Gallic Chieftain (barrier 13) are all winning chances in their best form, while Godolphin entrant Etymology (barrier 3) should be tough to beat under the conditions and from an inside draw.
Tip: No. 10 Etymology – Each Way ($20/$5.50)
Race 6 (9:00pm) Group 2 Stocks Stakes (1600m)
Twelve mares have been confirmed in an open edition of the Group 2 Stocks Stakes. I Am A Star (barrier 7) is yet to find her best form this time in, but relishes racing at The Valley and should prove difficult to beat under the conditions of the Stocks Stakes. Happy Hannah (barrier 2) failed to fire first-up, but will surely improve and is drawn ideally with Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle. Hell Or Highwater (barrier 9) has strung together three-consecutive wins including the Listed Heatherlie Stakes (1700m) last time out and would not look out of place in the Stocks Stakes winner’s stall, while Group 1 winner Montoya’s Secret (barrier 12) is also offered a good opportunity to return to winning form in the race.
Tip: No. 7 I Am A Star ($4.20)
Race 7 (9:30pm) Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m)
An outstanding and capacity field of sprinters will assemble for this year’s Moir Stakes and it is a particularly open affair from a betting perspective. Russian Revolution (barrier 14) resumed for a slick win in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes over course and distance and is undoubtedly the horse to beat with Hugh Bowman in the saddle. Terravista (barrier 7) and Malaguerra (barrier 16) are both proven first-up performers and are not without a hope at each-way quotes, while Voodoo Lad (barrier 15) and Heatherly (barrier 13) have both posted strong results this time and are both rock-hard fit ahead of this race. Interstate raiders Rock Magic (barrier 8) and Viddora (barrier 10) are both up to the class of this race, while all four emergency runners have claims in the race, should they gain a start.
Tip: No. 3 Voodoo Lad – Each Way ($14/$4.60)
Race 8 (10:00pm) Group 2 Bill Stutt Stakes (1600m)
The final race on Moir Stakes Night will peg twelve three-year-olds against one-another in the Group 2 Bill Stutt Stakes (1600m). The Mission (barrier 3) failed to run out the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) last weekend, but is drawn ideally into this race, will appreciate a step back in class and step up in distance and should prove extremely difficult to run down. Azazel’s (barrier 11) form appears to have tapered off through his two most-recent starts, but he is yet to be tested at a mile and that could be what he is searching for. Salsamor (barrier 4) is on a path towards the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) and will need to show something in this race to warrant a berth, while stable mat Wassergeist (barrier 8) carries winning form into the race and will be ridden by Hugh Bowman.
Tip: No. 1 The Mission – Each Way ($17/$4.60)