Back to Moonee Valley we go for the Melbourne punters with the rail in the 2m position after the track raced pretty well a fortnight ago.
It’s been a wet, windy and cold week in Melbourne but at time of writing the Moonee Ponds area is clearing up and Friday and Saturday look to be mainly dry meaning that the track should race well.
Moonee Valley Best Bets
Race 2 #4 Eshtiraak @ $5.50
Sportsbet were the bookies most keen to lay this bloke in the early markets but have now wound in a touch. He looks very well placed and rates highly on our figures. His run first-up was full of merit in a stronger race than this and the step out to 1500m should pose little concern. He’s drawn to get a soft run and has the right jockey to find clear running room when it matters most.
Related: Horse Racing Punting Myths!
Race 5 #1 Russian Revolution and #5 Heatherly @ $3.60 & $6.00
Classic little two horse play here. Backing both to return the same amount. Russian Revolution is a bulldog who already has a Group 1 to his name (The Galaxy). His second Randwick trial was good and he can handle any going. Heatherly should be beating home Missrock this time around (we tipped Missrock first-up). The mare needed the run first up, played up in the barriers and Missrock got all the favours. Sticking at 1000m suits her better as well and she can make Houtzen work. Speaking of Houtzen, she looks to be far too short in the early market at the $2.5 mark. Couldn’t get her any shorter than $3.50 on our figures.
Race 4 #3 Foundation @ $9.00/$3.00
An interesting betting race between horses with upside and horses who have been around forever! Harlow Gold was flattered by some bias last start and she is becoming a bit of a tease. Much prefer to play 1 x 3 on Foundation who will go forward from the outside gate and give a good sight. Kilarney Kid has been up forever and who knows with the Team Williams runners. It’s one of those races where there is enough question marks on key runners in the market to get involved. Expect Foundation can improve again following his very sound effort last start in which he proved he can handle the Valley. Hard to see him running poorly here.
Punting Star: Sean Bartholomew
Race 8 #4 Star Exhibit @ $6.00
Interesting race the Dato, you wouldn’t say it’s a classic edition of the race but there are some fascinating runners. Mark Zahra is riding in terrific form and he’ll need to be on his game with Star Exhibit who does have a sticky map. Could mark him as short as $4 if he’d drawn gate three, four or five. He’s Our Rokki beat him home in the P.b. Lawrence but the odds discrepancy is too large here and the extra trip suits the Weir galloper who can hopefully sit midfield and be strong late. Very wary of Bonneval who is a star but the run under the belt that our guy has is a big plus.