Moonee Valley is set to have a stunning end to their Summer Night racing series with the 90th running of the Group 1 William Reid Stakes. Join us for commentary before the race start time of 9:45pm (AEDT).
The winner tonight will join a host of sprint stars including Black Caviar, Manikato and Miss Andretti. While this might not be the best of the best sprinters Australia has to offer in tonight’s race, there is still some top quality going around.
Read here for some historical perspective on the William Reid.
Sydneysider Rebel Dane is getting a great quote at $5.50, as he usually runs well fresh. Has never missed the place first-up and his trial form from Warwick Farm is really nice.
Craig Williams is on fire at the moment and I expect ‘The Rebel’ to be right up there in the mix. He has good form at Moonee Valley despite not winning, and he was less than a length behind both Buffering and Lankan Rupee in weight for age conditions at the track.
Vain Queen is second up in this one at $5.50. She was super two starts ago and was only just beaten in the Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield. She only needs a hint of luck to figure in the finish.
Angelic Light opened as the $5 favourite and rightly so. She was super in the Manikato last spring, she has the Lankan Rupee form, so if she produces her best form she will be mighty hard to beat.
Earthquake hasn’t come back the same horse and at $6.50 I don’t think he can win here. Peron ran well during the Brisbane Winter Carnival and $6.50 is a fair quote. If she hits the line well she will go really well.
Lucky Hussler is a danger, he came to the Darren Weir stable and really turned a corner. He runs OK but it’s a big ask to win first up, maybe the Stradbroke is the main target.
The rest of the field is at double-figure odds and the only one I can make a case for is Famous Seamus. He loves the track after a big run in the Manikato last year, and second-up has only been out of the trifecta once, $15 is a huge quote for him.
Griante is at huge odds, certainly one to throw in the multiples.
Happy to take on the rest.
Selections
1. Rebel Dane 2. Famous Seamus 3. Griante 4. Angelic Light
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
So the final results here are 1. Lucky Hussler $12 2. Vain Queen $2.10 3. Griante $8.90 4. It Is Written Quinella pays $26.70, exacta $66.30, trifecta $1,098 and the first four a massive $27,326.40
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Glen Boss said if Darren Weir had him two years ago he would have won a couple of more Group 1's, Bossy said he couldn't believe the odds of the horse, he said he had to call the owners to tell them to get them into running. He said he drew the right barrier and was happy with the result, he said it worked out and that he had a lot of faith and that once he got in the clear he could put them away. Boss says it's a results driven industry and he has a lot of faith in himself, he said the game is cut throat and he needs to keep throwing punches. Said his thoughts are with Jack Hill following his fall today.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Darren Weir said it's a great thrill for the stable, said Lucky Hussler has come back better this prep and said his work on Monday was terrific and it's a great thrill to win here.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Galaxy Pegasus flying from Vezalay from Vain Queen and Peron, Earthquake is moving as well. Vain Queen goes up to them, he leads it from Griante, Lucky Hussler burns to the front and he wins the Group 1, from Vain Queen and Griante. I believe. It is Written sneaks into fourth, what a ride from the Boss! Earthquake, Famous Seamus and Rebel Dane all bitterly disappointing.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
We are in. Galaxy Pegasus not settled and we are off Lucky Hussler and Bel Sprinter missed the start. Galaxy Pegasus starts well from Vezalay.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Fontelina to move up and then we will be set.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
About half the field to still go late move from $6.50 to $5.50 for Vain Queen.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Runners going in now.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Runners behind the barriers, Earthquake smashed into $4.50 that's a big market mover!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Still in the yard.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Runners heading to the barriers shortly.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
I rate Earthquake cool as a cucumber.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Anyone got a tip from the yard?
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Not long now guys!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Doing both! ;)
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Will be back just before the race to cover it!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fractionally busy at the moment Brent? Union and this? Or is there another Brent Ford.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Rebel Dane first up hasn't been out of the quinella, connections are really keen for a WFA Group 1 win.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
A few had a go for Famous Seamus who came into $11's just drifted out to $13's now.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Can Tommy Berry get another Group 1 on Earthquake? Carrying next to no weight with 54kgs which might help.