EXPERT RACING TIPS: MOONEE VALLEY
MOONEE VALLEY PREVIEW | FRIDAY 22ND MARCH
RAIL: True | TRACK: Good 4
The last two meetings with the rail true have significantly advantaged those on speed, with lanes 1-3 clearly best. I see no reason why that would change, bar unexpected irrigation.
Best Bets
Jackson Oldham
Betting Strategy
BACK: 1. Strawberry Rock (WIN) for 2 unit(s) (Rated at: $3.1)
Strawberry Rock is very well placed in this BM78 that falls away rapidly. He was outstanding through the line over 1800m second-up then had pattern against but ran well again in a harder race than this last start. His peak rating is this track and distance and although the end of a fast 2500m might be a slight concern, there are too many knocks on the opposition to let this horse go around $3+ without me on.
Jackson Oldham
Betting Strategy
LAY: 2. Grand Impact (WIN) for 2 unit(s) (Rated at: $3.9)
Laying the best horse in the race usually isn’t the smartest idea and I do have plenty of respect for Price/Kent horses first-up, however laying favourites in Metro Melbourne off a 500+ day spell just can’t be a way to lose money, the trials were good etc, however on the ratings he wouldn’t want to be too far off his peak stuff to price him inside $3.
RACE 1 | SELECTIONS
4. Magnaspin
1. Marquess
3. Up And Under
7. Prismatic
Betting Strategy
Not much between Marquess and Magnaspin for me. Marquess was good first-up, struck a harder race last start and gets a bomb proof map, there has to be some query going 1400m up to 2040m, despite kicking off at a mile. Magnaspin sat on a fast tempo and battled on very well in a stronger race two back, too bad to be true last start, likely to bounce back.
RACE 2 | SELECTIONS
5. Growing Empire
1. Spywire
2. Dancing Storm
7. Harpalee
Betting Strategy
A tricky race with Maher having the two favourites and the tactics will be important to the outcome. Growing Empire sat outside lead on debut and produced a very good rating without winning, I’d mark him favourite if he punched up and led. Spywire brings in obviously the best form, was well supported in the Diamond last start, went too quickly on the lead and battled on steadily. He should lead on paper but gets a tongue tie and a crossover nose band first time.
RACE 3 | SELECTIONS
1. Strawberry Rock
3. Yarrawonga
9. Angel Of Light
7. Son Of Solly
Betting Strategy
BACK: 1. Strawberry Rock (WIN) for 2 unit(s) (Rated at: $3.1)
Strawberry Rock is very well placed in this BM78 that falls away rapidly. He was outstanding through the line over 1800m second-up then had pattern against but ran well again in a harder race than this last start. His peak rating is this track and distance and although the end of a fast 2500m might be a slight concern, there are too many knocks on the opposition to let this horse go around $3+ without me on.
RACE 4 | SELECTIONS
12. Frigid
15. He’ll Rip
10. Regal Azmon
8. Fortunate Kiss
Betting Strategy
As the market would suggest, an absolute lottery where I could make cases for all bar Playoffs and Sir Davy.
RACE 5 | SELECTIONS
2. Wishlor Lass
9. Roll On High
1. Campionessa
7. Eternal Flame
Roll On High is likely the best horse here but is too short for me given her likely settling position in run and I didn’t like Campionessa coming back in trip from an inside draw, where she is likely going to need a sharp turn of foot.
Betting Strategy
BACK: 2. Wishlor Lass (WIN) for 2 unit(s) (Rated at: $3.6)
Wishlor Lass was disappointing versus market expectations first-up but pulled up lame, an easy forgive and the strong market confidence bodes well. She maps to lead and dominate this race and the last time she did that, she ran a number at this track and distance that goes close.
RACE 6 | SELECTIONS
4. Mollynickers
2. Certainly
6. Vivy Air
1. Grinzinger Belle
Betting Strategy
Very hard for me to line up the form between Certainly and the others, meaning I’ll be happy to leave this race alone. Mollynickers was given a poor ride last start, as Grinzinger Belle, who is much more suited leading and rolling along. Vivy Air right in the game if horses are able to run on.
RACE 7 | SELECTIONS
12. Quintessa
4. Verdad
13. Basilinna
2. Zipaway
Betting Strategy
A tricky race, where the map and the first 200m of this race will be as important as the last furlong in deciding the winner. If Quintessa can slow in forward of midfield, she is the horse to beat.
RACE 8 | SELECTIONS
5. Imperatriz
10. Cylinder
6. Bella Nipotina
3. Queman
Betting Strategy
BACK: 5. Imperatriz (WIN) for 3 unit(s) (Rated at: $1.52)
I’m pulling the trigger again on Imperatriz, who was a brave second despite pulling up with EIPH last start. Her ratings around this MV circuit speak for themselves. I’ll wait until late before I pull the trigger, if the track is playing on-speed, we will likely get a bigger price.
RACE 9 | SELECTIONS
6. Inhibitions
13. Isthmus
4. Gumdrops
15 Countyourblessings
Betting Strategy
A lottery! I wanted to find Isthmus, she should roll forward and is a very progressive filly but I didn’t like how she handled The Valley corner last start, likely better for the look around though.I wanted to find Isthmus, she should roll forward and is a very progressive filly but I didn’t like how she handled The Valley corner last start, likely better for the look around though.
RACE 10 | SELECTIONS
10. Is It Me
15. Extratwo
2. Grand Impact
3. Boldinho
Betting Strategy
LAY: 2. Grand Impact (WIN) for 2 unit(s) (Rated at: $3.9)
Laying the best horse in the race usually isn’t the smartest idea and I do have plenty of respect for Price/Kent horses first-up, however laying favourites in Metro Melbourne off a 500+ day spell just can’t be a way to lose money, the trials were good etc, however on the ratings he wouldn’t want to be too far off his peak stuff to price him inside $3.
THE VALLEY TIPS | RACECOURSE
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Check out Betfair’s best bets for Moonee Valley today.
