EXPERT RACING TIPS: MOONEE VALLEY
Best Bets
Jackson Oldham
BACK: 1. Vinrock (WIN) for 5 units (Rated at $1.41)
Vinrock won dominantly at Flemington over 1400m, in my opinion this preparation he looks even better suited at the mile and although West Of Swindon obviously had a tough run wide, no cover, I doubt outside leader in a fast 1400m off a moderate 1200m was the A1 set-up for Vinrock either. I have him mapped to either find the front or sit outside the leader and be able to dictate to West Of Swindon.
back
Jackson Oldham
LAY: 6. Lady Shenandoah (WIN) for 3 units (Rated at $3.10)
The easiest horse to lay all weekend at the price is Lady Shenandoah, she should well be the best sprinter we’ve got but she is priced like she has 3-4L on these considering the map issues and I’m just not convinced that is the case as of yet.
lay
MOONEE VALLEY PREVIEW AND TIPS | EXPERT TIPS | FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 26TH 2025
RAIL: 3m TRACK: Good 4
I walked the track on Thursday afternoon and I would be if on-speed and nearer the rail wasn’t a significant advantage.
Best Bets
Jackson Oldham
BACK: 1. Vinrock (WIN) for 5 units (Rated at $1.41)
Vinrock won dominantly at Flemington over 1400m, in my opinion this preparation he looks even better suited at the mile and although West Of Swindon obviously had a tough run wide, no cover, I doubt outside leader in a fast 1400m off a moderate 1200m was the A1 set-up for Vinrock either. I have him mapped to either find the front or sit outside the leader and be able to dictate to West Of Swindon.
back
Jackson Oldham
LAY: 6. Lady Shenandoah (WIN) for 3 units (Rated at $3.10)
The easiest horse to lay all weekend at the price is Lady Shenandoah, she should well be the best sprinter we’ve got but she is priced like she has 3-4L on these considering the map issues and I’m just not convinced that is the case as of yet.
lay
13. Daggers
1. Home Rule
10. Capper Thirtynine
8. Charcoals
Betting Strategy
Daggers has jumped out well and should map for a good run just behind in the speed on the fence, has a map advantage on the second-favourite Sunshineinmypocket.
5. Oliveanotherday
7. Barari
6. Rohesia
1. PrestarÂ
Betting Strategy
Oliveanotherday has produced some outstanding closing sectionals at both career starts and I love the jockey change and a middle gate. Prestar brings in the A1 form but I think a firm track is a genuine query.
8. Grand Larceny
3. Beast Mode
2. Unflinching
6. Shirshov
Betting Strategy
Speed galore, going with Grand Larceny, who will need a gap at the right time but has the right jockey on to find one and can pick up the pieces if they overdo things in front.
1. Vinrock
2. West Of Swindon
4. Prestige Ole
5. Hillier
Betting Strategy
BACK: 1. Vinrock (WIN) for 5 units (Rated at $1.41)
Vinrock won dominantly at Flemington over 1400m, in my opinion this preparation he looks even better suited at the mile and although West Of Swindon obviously had a tough run wide, no cover, I doubt outside leader in a fast 1400m off a moderate 1200m was the A1 set-up for Vinrock either. I have him mapped to either find the front or sit outside the leader and be able to dictate to West Of Swindon.
9. Point Barrow
7. Esha
4. Vein Girl
2. Memo
Betting Strategy
Esha is the the obvious class but the end of 1200m third-up off a big G1 run has to be a query, I would back Point Barrow ito beat her if she didn’t draw wide. I can’t lay Esha either, she maps for the A1 run.
6. Treasurethe Moment
5. Pride Of Jenni
1. Tom Kitten
4. Flying Valley
Betting Strategy
I am very close to the market, I am as interested to see what the Betfair market does late, as I am to see what happens on the track at 8:45pm.
2. Baraqiel
9. Alabama Lass
5. Magic Time
6. Lady Shenandoah
Betting Strategy
LAY: 6. Lady Shenandoah (WIN) for 3 units (Rated at $3.10)
The easiest horse to lay all weekend at the price is Lady Shenandoah, she should well be the best sprinter we’ve got but she is priced like she has 3-4L on these considering the map issues and I’m just not convinced that is the case as of yet.
7. Oh Too Good
5. Abounding
4. Just Feelin’ Lucky
9. Splash BackÂ
Betting Strategy
Oh Too Good is a bit of a yo-yo, if she comes across and either sits outside Just Feelin’ Lucky or if the Joe Pride horse from outside her is handlebars down, finds the one-one then she should be hard to beat.
THE VALLEY RACECOURSE | BETTING TIPS
SUMMARY
Known simply as The Valley, Moonee Valley Racing Club is the home of the Cox Plate, billed as Australasia’s weight-for-age championship. The $5 million race, which celebrated its centenary edition in 2020, became synonymous with Winx after Chris Waller’s mighty mare won it four years running. The Valley is also synonymous with night racing, having been the first club in Victoria to race under lights. Both the Group 1 Manikato Stakes and the Group 1 William Reid Stakes are run under lights. Whether it’s a day or a night meeting, our team of tipsters is adept at identifying the best Moonee Valley bets. Â
FAST FACTS
- The $200m redevelopment of The Valley is due for completion in 2026, with the racecourse due to close after the 2024 Cox Plate to facilitate construction of the new grandstand. The club’s aim is to convert the precinct into the world’s leading night racing destination.
KEY EVENTS
The W.S. Cox Plate, which was first run in 1922 with a prize purse of just $1,000, is The Valley’s showpiece occasion. Currently worth $5 million and with several champion racehorses adorning its illustrious honour roll, the Cox Plate is widely considered to be Australian racing’s truest weight-for-age test. Mighty mare Winx dominated the Cox Plate between 2015 and 2018, surpassing the feats of Kingston Town to become the first horse in history to win the race on four occasions. Winx won the 2018 Cox Plate at odds of $1.24 and was even shorter in 2017, jumping the $1.18 favourite, but Betfair’s Moonee Valley tips tend to offer punters more value! Check out Betfair’s tips on the Cox Plate here.   Â
TRACK PROFILE
Known for its tight turns, The Valley is very much a ‘horses for courses’ type of track. The home straight of just 173 metres is the shortest straight in Australia, meaning it pays to be up on the speed (particularly in sprint races) as backmarkers rarely make up much ground. With a similar track profile to The Valley, horses trained at Mornington have a better-than-average strike rate here. Â
When the rail is moved out 5m (or more), the track often favours horses drawn inside as they can dictate the pace of the race and make a winning break coming round the final turn. The Valley’s drainage system is excellent, with the track rarely rated in the Heavy range. Betfair’s experts take all the track variables into account when bringing you their Moonee Valley tips.  Â
HISTORY
Moonee Valley Racecourse was established in 1883 by William Samuel (W.S.) Cox, in whose honour the Cox Plate is named. In 1882, Cox purchased a farm belonging to John F. Feehan – in whose honour the Feehan Stakes is named – for the sole purpose of establishing a racetrack. With the club entirely owning the freehold land on which the racecourse sits, Moonee Valley is distinguished from other Melbourne metropolitan racecourses such as Caulfield and Flemington. Â
Check out Betfair’s best bets for Moonee Valley today.
