Talented fields have been confirmed for nine races at Melbourne’s Moonee Valley Racecourse on Saturday and while there is no black type features, there remains plenty of opportunities to find a winner.
Some of the season’s most exciting racehorses have been confirmed to make an appearance at Moonee Valley on Saturday and we have studied every runner in each field, in order to help you find a winner.
Race 1 (12:20pm) Dominant Cleaning Solutions Handicap (1200m)
Eleven two-year-old fillies have been confirmed in the field for Race 1 at Moonee Valley on Saturday, including Wired (barrier 3). The Sharkbite filly has finished second in each of the Warrnambool Gold Strike (1000m) and Jack Maher Classic (1200m) this time in and is positioned well to return to winning form third-up. Wanted Diva (barrier 7) broke through for a maiden race win at her last start and has the notable advantage of Craig Williams in the saddle on Saturday and should find a good position behind the pace from her barrier. Carusmatic (barrier 8) is the only other previous winner in the field, but she failed to produce much when tenth at Ballarat first-up last week.
Tip: No. 1 Wired ($3.80)
Race 2 (12:55pm) Dominant Clean Handicap (1200m)
One of the best fields of the day will line up for Race 2 and there is a case to be made for close to all eleven runners in the Dominant Clean Handicap. Perth raider Vital Importance (barrier 1) resumed for an impressive win at Caulfield on May 13th and is in with an excellent chance of repeating that effort here, while Lindsay Park stablemates Hell Or Highwater (barrier 10) and Majestic Lass (barrier 7) inject plenty of class into the field. Swiss Kiss (barrier 4) could receive the run of the race from her ideal draw, is weighted well and will be partnered by Stephen Baster, while Valrouz (barrier 6) also carries winning form into this race, but faces a steep step up in class. Whistle Baby (barrier 5) and Telopea (barrier 8) are both more than capable of winning, if they bring their A-game.
Tip: No.7 Swiss Kiss – Each Way ($8/$2.65)
Race 3 (1:30pm) Cafetto Handicap (1000m)
A capacity field of fifteen is set to step out in Race 3 on Saturday, including the strong and consistent Core Breach (barrier 2). Posting consecutive wins at the conclusion of a strong 2016 campaign, the Oamaru Force gelding returned to the races for a comfortable win at Mt Gambier on May 12th and while facing a big step up in class, is more than capable. Dam Ready (barrier 16) will make his return in the Cafetto Handicap and while he has drawn wide and awkwardly into this field, is undoubtedly one of the class runners of the race. Miss Vista (barrier 14) will also have to overcome an awkward draw, but is more than capable amongst this company as is El Sicario, who should prove extremely tough to beat from the rails draw.
Tip: No. 10 Dam Ready – Each Way ($8/$2.85)
Race 4 (2:08pm) ADAPT Australia Handicap (1600m)
Several smart horses carrying winning form have been confirmed in the Adapt Australia Handicap field, including topweight Vienna Miss (barrier 1). The Snitzel filly flew home to win the Listed Adelaide Guineas (1600m) last time out on May 13th and is undoubtedly the horse to beat in this field. Jaws Of Steel (barrier 12) also returned to the winner’s circle at his most-recent start, but will require luck in running to repeat that effort from a wide draw and with a heavy weight. The Passage (barrier 4) has shown glimpses of brilliance between lacklustre performances this time in and will prove tough to beat if he turns up to race. Drawn ideally, the Ilovethiscity gelding was a smart winner during the Warrnambool Carnival and should relish the conditions at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Tip: No. 4 The Passage ($4.40)
Race 5 (2:48pm) Cafetto Coffee Clean Handicap (1600m)
Eleven milers have been confirmed in the field for Race 5 on Saturday, including the enigmatic Mr Individual (barrier 7). As his name suggests, Mr Individual tends to decide on race day whether or not he will put in and is capable of absolute brilliance on his day, but also poor performances. Having finished eighth at his most recent start, Mr Individual is drawn for a good run on Saturday and will be partnered by in-form apprentice Ben Thompson. Main dangers include the in-form Cheryl’s Horse (barrier 5) who is seeking a fourth-consecutive race win and lightweight chance New Graduate (barrier 9), who is in outstanding form.
Tip: No. 8 Mr Individual – Each Way ($8/$2.65)
Race 6 (3:28pm) William Hill Plate (1500m)
An open and capacity field has been confirmed for Race 6 and this is another event whereby a case can be made for nearly every runner. Have Another Glass (barrier 2) and Hot Ruby (barrier 8) have both found terrific form this season and should each find themselves right in the finish of this race, from good draws. Dulverton (barrier 14) will contest the race first-up, but undoubtedly has the class to win, while Four Sisters (barrier 10), Miss Universe (barrier 1) and Eolande (barrier 3) are all live chances; the last if she gains a start.
Tip: No. 2 Have Another Glass ($3.80)
Race 7 (4:08pm) WT Partnership Handicap (1200m)
An exciting field of Saturday sprinters has been confirmed for the WT Partnerships Handicap and there is plenty of value to be taken from a betting perspective. Veteran sprinter Le Bonsir (barrier 8) failed to produce much in his first-up task a fortnight ago, but the horse is sure to have taken plenty of benefit from the run and his class is sure to count for plenty in this field. Painte (barrier 12) failed to fire at his last start, but should relish the conditions of this race, while Chamois Road (barrier 6) is arguably the horse to beat after taking out the Hygain BM78 (1200m) at his last start. Kirani (barrier 3) is resuming, but raced amongst stronger company than this last season.
Tip: No. 7 Chamois Road – Each Way ($7.50/$2.60)
Race 8 (4:45pm) Essendon Nissan Handicap (2040m)
A capacity field will also line up for Race 8 and there is plenty of live chances amongst the fourteen confirmed horses. Longeron (barrier 6) hasn’t been too far off the mark through his recent starts and is primed for another competitive performance in this race, while Rose Of Virginia (barrier 5) will appreciate a step up in distance and is treated well at the weights. Shoreham (barrier 4) will have his second start since returning to the care of Flemington trainer Saab Hasan and should prove tough to beat under the conditions and all of Lord Durante (barrier 2), Cougar Express (barrier 7) and Black Tomahawk (barrier 9) are all more than capable of saluting.
Tip: No. 11 Shoreham – Each Way ($17/$5.10)
Race 9 (5:25pm) Dominant Handicap (1200m)
Some of the best sprinters currently in work in Victoria will contest the final race at Moonee Valley on Saturday afternoon. Ken’s Dream’s form has potentially tailed-off and he has been charged with overcoming a heavy topweight, but he is drawn ideally in barrier 2 and his class is sure to count for plenty. Benz (barrier 10) was unlucky to run second at his most-recent start and will also need luck on Saturday after being charged with carrying 60kgs. Highland Beat (barrier 14) has been charged with overcoming the outside gate, but will be partnered by Craig Williams and will carry plenty of benefit into this race.
Tip: No. 3 Highland Beat – Each Way ($17/$5.10)