Back to the Valley we go for the Melbourne punter with the rail in the True position. Moonee Valley Tips for the 26th August below!
Rail True traditionally means up and off and the best chance to ‘swoop’ at the Valley but the track manager is reporting that the area 3-10m off the fence is inferior on the bend which will make it tough for the run on horses that get too wide at the 600m mark.
Treading with caution in terms of the track and will need to be adaptable but will be surprised if sitting outside of the leader or in the one by one isn’t a great spot to be in running.
Moonee Valley Best Bets
Race 2 #4 Merriest @ $4.60
Merriest is a very smart mare on the way up who trialled like a bomb for Danny O’Brien a few weeks back. Confident she can get well beyond BM84 grade this preparation and the $4.60 might end up being a genuine spoil. If they are positive from the gate she’ll be in the finish.
Related: Horse Racing Punting Myths!
Race 6 #1 Azazel @ $5.50
Interesting race with Lone Eagle the other horse we are interested in but given racing pattern and the speed map he is tough to back early. If they are swooping we want him on our side and will back also. Azazel is the default top pick though as can settle in the first half of the field and should relish the step up to 1200m after the 1000m win first-up.
Race 7 #11 Missrock @ $7.00
Huge fan of Heatherly but she is short enough given she has drawn low and has some bad barrier manners. If she is slowly away she’ll face pressure to lead and is a lay. Missrock, on the other hand, gets the gun run and her 2nd to Vega Magic in the Goodwood reads very well! Backing Missrock 1 x the win x 3 units the place.
Punting Star: Sean Bartholomew
Race 8 #4 Duke Of Brunswick @ $3.70
Great race, Raw Impulse might be the best 1500m/miler in the race but he’s drawn barrier 16 first-up with queries on the ground out wide. We will save on him but have our main bet on Duke Of Brunswick who was scratched from the P.b. Lawrence last week at Caulfield. Ready to peak third-up and is the perfect ‘map horse’ for this race.