An outstanding card of racing has been assembled for Saturday at Moonee Valley, highlighted by the weight-for-age championship of Australia, the Cox Plate (2040m).
I have covered the big race in depth, so here I’ll look at the support races and hopefully find a few winners.
Moonee Valley Cup (2500m)
Horses are pushing for a spot in the Melbourne Cup (3200m) when they run in the Moonee Valley Cup, and the horse I really like is Opinion.
All of his runs this time in have been very good, and he proved that he shouldn’t be ruled out for the Melbourne Cup after his slashing second in the Metropolitan (2400m) to Junoob, with some help from an outstanding Tye Angland steer.
Worked very well on Tuesday morning behind Royal Descent and the return to a track with some give in it should favour him.
Precedence won this race last year and would just about need to win it again to have a serious chance of making the final 24 for the first Tuesday in November. His run here in the JRA Cup (2040m) was very good behind The Cleaner, and he arguably would have finished closer had it not been for bad luck towards the end. Glen Boss sticks, drawn well and of course loves the Valley.
Le Roi ran a credible third in the Cranbourne Cup (2025m) behind Mourinho after losing balance on the turn in chasing. He picked up late and worked to the line soundly enough, indicating that the 2500m would be ideal. Barrier one, Tommy Berry aboard, winner at the track… ticks plenty of boxes.
Selections
Opinion (7) clearly on top, ahead of Precedence (1), Le Roi (5) and Epingle (9).
Crystal Mile (1600m)
We will get a good look at some of the leading contenders for the Emirates Stakes (1600m) when they contest the Crystal Mile.
I am going to put Trusting on top. He won a farcically run edition of the Cameron Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle, then proved that was no fluke with a third in the Epsom Handicap (1600m) after sitting three and four wide for the entire trip with no cover. Yet to race here, but he is in career-best form and maps very well, getting the drag up behind Havana Rey.
Trust In A Gust is fast becoming one of the most popular gallopers going around, given he only cost $45,000 at the sales and has a never-say-die attitude. He looked a beaten horse 200m out in the Toorak Handicap (1600m), but when he saw Speediness come close, he found another gear and on the line was drawing away from them. The only query is that this is WFA, but every other time he has been challenged, he has responded in fantastic style.
Akavoroun was enormous in the Toorak, sitting wide with no cover for the trip yet was only beaten just over a length. Worked well here on Tuesday morning and provided he gets cover from the barrier, he will go close. And don’t worry about the gutbuster last time out – he looks to have recovered well from that.
Selections
Hooked (6) on top, over Trust In A Gust (5), Akavoroun (3) and Speediness (1).
Teas Vase (2040m)
The final tune up for the Victoria Derby (2500m) is the Teas Vase, and after watching trackwork on Tuesday, I am very keen to see Atmosphere. He loomed to win the UCI Stakes (1800m) last time out – he just couldn’t quite peg back the margin Magicool had, but was actually coming again on the line. He is bred to stay longer than the mother-in-law, and the stable is starting to hit its straps this spring, so he is definitely a contender here and in the Derby next week.
Moonovermanhattan was very good here in the Bill Stutt Stakes (1600m) behind Almalad, then went to the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) and just couldn’t build up momentum when seventh to Shooting To Win. The Derby is his grand final and this will be used to get the cobwebs out, but he handles the track well and will be up near the speed, so he is a definite chance.
I was quite keen on Go Indy Go in the Thousand Guineas (1600m), but a combination of a slow pace and a negative ride made sure she couldn’t win. She is heading towards the Oaks, and has always given the impression that this sort of distance range could be handled, so she goes in as a threat, but I’d want to see her go close to winning if you’re following her for the Oaks.
Selections
Atmosphere (10) the one to beat, ahead of Moonovermanhattan (4), Go Indy Go (13) and Chivalry (2).
Fillies Classic (1600m)
Lumosty looks to have the Fillies Classic at her mercy. Forget she went around in the Thousand Guineas, given she missed the start and was forced back to last in a race completely dominated by those up on the speed. The likes of her and Go Indy Go had no winning hope from where they were and the way the race was run. Drops a bit in depth here, and worked well on the track on Tuesday. Hard to beat provided she jumps cleanly.
Tahni Dancer ran out her skin in the Thousand Guineas, and was one of the only fillies to make up significant ground when fifth to Amicus. Her run prior to that came here, where she ran second to gutsy filly Eloping, who has won since. No problems with her running the mile and looms as a legitimate threat to Lumosty.
Little Hottie was a highly impressive debut winner at Kyneton, then she went to the Edward Manifold and just got held up a touch at a vital stage before getting clear and making up ground behind Fontein Ruby. The form from that race has stood up big time. Mick Kent is one of the best trainers of up-and-coming fillies in the country and this filly has a stack of upside.
Selections
Lumosty (1) looks a good thing here, over Tahni Dancer (3), Little Hottie (6) and Singularity (2).
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